… Special Court delivers first landmark verdict
BENIN CITY — The Edo State Special Criminal Court yesterday sentenced four kidnappers to death by hanging for their involvement in the abduction of Oseghale Ofure Precious at the Vegetable Market, off Airport Road, Benin City, on June 14, 2026.
The landmark verdict — the first major judgment delivered by the Special Criminal Court since its establishment — has sent a stern warning to kidnappers, armed robbers and other violent criminals operating in the state.
The convicts — Marvelous Isaac, Wisdom Michael, Rufus Michael and Gift Raphael, the only female among them — were found guilty of conspiracy, kidnapping, armed robbery, unlawful possession of firearms and cultism under the Criminal Laws of Edo State, 2022.
Presiding Judge, Justice Aigbona Terry Momodu, held that the prosecution had proved its case beyond reasonable doubt, finding the four defendants culpable not only in the abduction of Precious but also in the kidnapping of other victims at different locations, from whom millions of naira were allegedly collected as ransom.
Justice Momodu consequently sentenced each of the four convicts to death by hanging or by lethal injection, in accordance with the applicable law.
The prosecution was led by the Edo State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Roland Otaru, SAN, while Henry Amaechi Nwauzor represented the first, second and third convicts. F.O.J. Imasuen appeared for the fourth convict, Gift Raphael.
During the trial, the prosecution called seven witnesses and tendered 15 exhibits in evidence. The four defendants testified on oath in their respective defence but called no witness.
At the conclusion of evidence, counsel on both sides filed, exchanged and adopted their respective final written addresses, following which the court reserved the matter for judgment.
The defendants had pleaded not guilty to all the charges.
Delivering judgment, Justice Momodu said the totality of the evidence before the court established the guilt of the four defendants beyond reasonable doubt on all the counts preferred against them.
The judge said the court was bound by the provisions of the law in imposing the appropriate punishment and could not exercise discretion contrary to the applicable statutory provisions.
Before sentence was pronounced, counsel to the first three convicts, Nwauzor, and counsel to Gift Raphael, Imasuen, commended the judge for what they described as his painstaking examination of the facts and evidence presented during the trial.
They, however, urged the court to expedite the release of certified copies of the judgment to enable them study the decision and take appropriate steps towards an appeal.
In a significant post-judgment observation, Justice Momodu commended a private citizen whose CCTV footage played a crucial role in the investigation and speedy determination of the case.
The judge urged the Edo State Government to expand the deployment of CCTV cameras across markets, motor parks and other public institutions in the state, stressing their importance in crime detection, prevention and enhancement of public safety.
The verdict is being regarded as a major milestone in Edo State’s renewed judicial response to kidnapping and other violent crimes.
The Special Criminal Court was established by the Chief Judge of Edo State pursuant to the directive of Governor Monday Okpebholo as part of efforts to strengthen the state’s criminal justice system and ensure faster determination of serious criminal cases.
