A Special Criminal Court of the Edo State High Court sitting in Benin City has sentenced four persons to death for offences bordering on kidnapping, cultism and other violent crimes.
The court, presided over by Justice Terry Momodu Aigbona, delivered the judgment after proceedings that lasted more than three hours.
Among those sentenced to death is the alleged gang leader, Isaac Marvellous, 32, who was found guilty on all 11 counts brought against him. The court also convicted Wisdom Michael, 36; Rufus Michael, 30; and Gift Raphael, 27 on charges related to kidnapping, membership of a secret cult and other criminal offences.
Justice Aigbona ordered that the four convicts be executed either by hanging or by lethal injection, in accordance with the law.
The prosecution had accused the defendants of involvement in a series of violent crimes, leading to their arraignment on an 11-count charge. Following the trial, the court found them guilty and imposed the maximum sentence.
In addition to the death sentences, the court handed various terms of imprisonment to other suspects connected to the case.
The court further directed that firearms recovered from the convicts and tendered as exhibits during the trial be forfeited to the Federal Government.
The judgment is seen as part of ongoing efforts by law enforcement agencies and the judiciary to combat kidnapping, cult-related violence and other forms of criminality in Edo State and across the country.
