The Edo State Special Criminal Court has sentenced four people to death for their involvement in the kidnapping of a woman at the Vegetable Market, off Airport Road, Benin City.
Justice Aigbona Momodu delivered the judgment on Tuesday in a case involving 11 counts of kidnapping, conspiracy, armed robbery, cultism and unlawful possession of firearms.
The convicts were identified as Marvelous Isaac, 32; Wisdom Michael, 36; Rufus Emete Michael, 30; and Gift Raphael, 27.
The court sentenced the four defendants to death on several counts, while also imposing prison terms on other counts.
The case was prosecuted before the Special Criminal Court established by the Edo State Government to handle kidnapping and cult-related offences.
The court also ordered the confiscation of a pump-action rifle, two unexpended cartridges and two expended cartridges recovered from the convicts. The exhibits are to be handed over to the Edo State Police Command for destruction.
The incident occurred when gunmen reportedly abducted the woman while she was at the market with her husband and children.
The incident was later confirmed by the Edo State Police Public Relations Officer, Eno Ikoedem.
In its judgment, the court directed that the convicted persons be subjected to the sentences prescribed for the various counts on which they were found guilty.
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