Court sentences 4 kidnappers to death by hanging

The Edo State Special Criminal Court has passed a death sentence on four gang members who were convicted in connection with kidnap related cases.

Justice Terry Momodu Aigbona, who is the judge at the court, pronounced the sentence on Tuesday, September 29, 2026 in Benin City.

Isaac Marvelous, who is the gang leader, was convicted on all eleven charges against him and was sentenced to death.

Justice Aigbona, who reportedly became emotional while delivering the judgment, ordered that Marvelous be executed by hanging or by lethal injection, in accordance with the law.

Three other members of the syndicate — Gift Raphael, Wisdom Michael and Rufus Michael — were also convicted and sentenced to death.

The court imposed additional terms of imprisonment on the convicts on some of the counts.

Justice Aigbona also ordered that firearms recovered from the suspects and tendered as exhibits be forfeited and handed over to the Federal Government.

The convictions followed the prosecution’s presentation of evidence linking the four men to the kidnapping offences for which they were charged.

The judgment is the latest conviction by the Edo State Special Criminal Court in the state’s efforts to prosecute serious criminal offences, including kidnapping and other violent crimes.