An Edo State Special Criminal Court sitting in Benin City has sentenced four people to death over the kidnapping of a woman at the Vegetable Market along Airport Road in Benin City.

Justice Aigbona Momodu delivered the judgment on Tuesday, September 29, 2026, in what was reported as the court's first judgment in a kidnapping case since the specialised court was established.

The defendants were Marvellous Isaac, Wisdom Michael, Rufus Emete Michael and Gift Raphael. Despite some reports referring to all four as men, other reports identify Gift Raphael as a woman, making the group three men and one woman.

The four defendants were prosecuted on an 11-count charge involving kidnapping, conspiracy, armed robbery, cultism and unlawful possession of firearms.

The June 14 Kidnapping

The case arose from the abduction of a woman at the Vegetable Market along Airport Road in Benin City on June 14, 2026.

The kidnapping reportedly took place in broad daylight, with the assailants allegedly using an SUV during the operation.

The victim was subsequently released unharmed, two days after she was abducted.

Police investigations following the incident led to the arrest of the defendants and the recovery of items that were presented as exhibits during the proceedings.

One of the defendants, Marvellous Isaac, was reportedly arrested on June 18 during a gun duel with police operatives. Another suspected member of the group, identified as Precious, was reportedly killed during the operation.

Further investigations subsequently led to the arrests of Gift Raphael, Wisdom Michael and Rufus Emete Michael.

Among the exhibits presented during the case were a Lexus RX 350 allegedly linked to the operation, a pump-action firearm and ammunition.

What the Court Decided

After considering the case, Justice Momodu convicted the four defendants on the relevant counts.

The court imposed different sentences on the defendants according to the counts on which each was convicted.

Marvellous Isaac received seven years' imprisonment on count one, death on counts two to nine, 10 years' imprisonment on count 10 and life imprisonment on count 11.

Wisdom Michael received seven years' imprisonment on count one and death sentences on counts two to nine.

Rufus Emete Michael received seven years' imprisonment on count one and death sentences on counts two, three, four, six and seven.

Gift Raphael received seven years' imprisonment on count one and death sentences on counts two, four, six and eight.

The reported death sentences are to be carried out in accordance with the applicable law.

While delivering the judgment, Justice Momodu said the prescribed punishment under the law left him without discretion to impose a lesser sentence on the counts carrying the death penalty.

Firearm Ordered Destroyed

The court also ordered the confiscation of a JoJef pump-action firearm and four cartridges tendered as exhibits during the trial.

Justice Momodu directed that the firearm and cartridges be handed over to the Edo State Police Armourer at the State Criminal Investigation Department for destruction within 30 days.

First Kidnapping Judgment of Edo's Special Criminal Court

The judgment is significant because it represents the first reported kidnapping judgment delivered by the Edo State Special Criminal Court.

The specialised court was established in July 2026 to handle kidnapping and cultism-related cases and to accelerate the prosecution of violent-crime cases in the state.

The case therefore provides an early example of the court's role in handling kidnapping proceedings from prosecution through judgment.

The sentencing does not mean that the defendants have been executed. A death sentence is a judicial sentence, while its implementation remains subject to the applicable legal and administrative process.

For residents following the case, the judgment brings the court proceedings arising from the June 14 Vegetable Market kidnapping to a major stage, following the investigation, arrests, trial and conviction of the four defendants.