Edo Court sentences four to death over market abduction - The Guardian Nigeria News

Four persons have been sentenced to death by the Edo State Special Criminal Court for their roles in the kidnapping of a woman at the Vegetable Market, off Airport Road in Benin City.

Justice Aigbona Momodu handed down the sentences while delivering judgment on an 11-count charge involving kidnapping, conspiracy, armed robbery, cultism and unlawful possession of firearms.

The convicts are three men and a woman identified as Marvelous Isaac, 32; Wisdom Michael, 36; Rufus Michael, 30; and Gift Raphael, 27.

The case followed the abduction of a woman who was at the market with her husband and children when gunmen reportedly stormed the area and took her away.

The incident had drawn attention after a woman who said she witnessed the abduction shared her account in a video online.

“Today, for the first time, I witnessed someone being kidnapped.”

She added, “Who said kidnapping is not in Benin? A kidnapping happened in my presence right at Airport Road by the Vegetable Market. Just because it has not happened to you does not mean it doesn’t exist.

“I saved the woman’s children today. This is me. It happened in front of me. We were both buying something in the same place, at the vegetable market. This is me; I have bruises. These are my legs.”

The incident was later confirmed by the Edo State Police Public Relations Officer, Eno Ikoedem.

In its judgment, the court imposed death sentences on the four convicts on several of the counts. They were also handed additional prison terms on other counts, including seven years and, in Isaac’s case, life imprisonment on one count.

The court further ordered that the firearms and ammunition tendered as exhibits be confiscated and handed over to the Edo State Police for destruction.

The Edo State Special Criminal Court was established under the directive of Governor Monday Okpebholo to handle kidnapping and cultism-related cases.