Edo Court Sentences Four to Death Over Vegetable Market Kidnapping

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 Four Sentenced to Death Over Benin City Vegetable Market Kidnapping

Benin City, Edo State — September 29, 2026

Edo state court 


The Edo State Special Criminal Court sitting in Benin City has sentenced four defendants to death following their conviction over the kidnapping of a woman at the Vegetable Market along Airport Road.

The judgment was delivered on Tuesday, September 29, 2026, in what was the court's first judgment in a kidnapping case since the specialised court was established.

The defendants are Marvellous Isaac, Wisdom Michael, Rufus Emete Michael and Gift Raphael.

They had faced charges relating to kidnapping, conspiracy, armed robbery, cultism and unlawful possession of firearms.

Vegetable Market 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 incident happened in broad daylight and prompted a police investigation that eventually led to the arrest of the four defendants.
The victim was later released unharmed.
Independent Television and Radio (ITV) had previously reported on the case when proceedings commenced before the Edo State Special Criminal Court. ITV reported that the court was hearing the case involving four suspects accused of participating in the Vegetable Market kidnapping.


Trial Before the Special Criminal Court

The trial proceeded before Justice Aigbona Momodu, with the prosecution presenting evidence concerning the alleged kidnapping and other offences.
ITV also reported in July that the prosecution had closed its case after presenting evidence against the defendants.
The defendants subsequently presented their defence before the court.
Today’s judgment brings the trial to a major conclusion, with the court finding the defendants guilty on the relevant counts and imposing death sentences on multiple counts.

Police Investigation

The investigation into the incident reportedly resulted in the recovery of a red Lexus RX 350 allegedly linked to the operation, as well as a pump-action firearm and ammunition.
One of the suspects, Marvellous Isaac, was arrested during a police operation, while further investigations led to the arrest of the other defendants.

Special Criminal Court Delivers Maiden Kidnapping Judgment

The judgment is significant because it represents the maiden kidnapping judgment delivered by Edo State's Special Criminal Court.

The court was established to handle kidnapping and cultism-related cases and to facilitate faster prosecution of such offences.

The Vegetable Market case was among the first matters brought before the specialised court following its establishment.
Today's ruling therefore marks an important stage in the prosecution of the case that began with the June 14 abduction in Benin City.

Source

Independent Television and Radio (ITV) — reports on the trial of the Vegetable Market kidnapping suspects.

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