Edo Court Sentences Four to Death Over Kidnapping, Cultism Charges

The Edo State High Court in Benin has sentenced four people to death after finding them guilty of offences linked to kidnapping and cultism. Justice Aigbona Momodu, who presided over the special division handling kidnapping and other violent crimes, ordered that the death sentences be carried out by hanging or lethal injection.

The convicts are Marvellous Isaac, 32; Wisdom Michael, 36; Rufus Emete Michael, 30; and Gift Raphael, 27. They had faced an 11-count charge and pleaded not guilty to the allegations brought against them.

The prosecution alleged that the defendants were involved in several kidnapping incidents, including the daylight abduction of Oseghale Precious at the Vegetable Market in Benin on June 14. The four were arrested three days after the incident, after which other alleged victims reportedly identified them and gave evidence during the trial.

The prosecution, led by the Edo State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Roland Otaru, called seven witnesses. The defendants did not call witnesses in their defence. Justice Momodu said the defence did not object to exhibits presented by the prosecution, including confessional statements attributed to the defendants.

Isaac was convicted on all 11 counts. He received seven years’ imprisonment on count one, 10 years on count 10 and life imprisonment on count 11, while death sentences were imposed on counts two to nine.

Wisdom Michael was discharged and acquitted on counts 10 and 11. Rufus Emete Michael received seven years’ imprisonment on count one and death sentences on counts two, three, six and seven, while he was acquitted on the remaining counts.

Gift Raphael was acquitted on counts four, five, seven, nine, 10 and 11. She was sentenced to seven years’ imprisonment on count one and death on counts two, four, six and eight.

Reacting to the judgment, Senior Advocate of Nigeria Olayiwola Afolabi cautioned the Edo State Government against taking steps to execute the convicts before they exhaust their right of appeal. He urged Governor Monday Okpebholo to allow the statutory 90-day period for an appeal to run before any execution is considered.

Lawyer Jude Okonkwo, however, commended Justice Momodu for what he described as a proper judgment and a commendable effort. The case highlights the continuing legal process surrounding serious kidnapping convictions, including the defendants’ right to challenge the judgment through the appellate courts.