A Special Court for Kidnapping and Cultism in Benin City, Edo State, has sentenced a four-member kidnapping syndicate to death by hanging or lethal injection.
The suspects, Marvelous Isaac, 32; Gift Raphael, 27; Wisdom Michael; and Rufus Michael, were arraigned before the court on an 11-count charge bordering on kidnapping, conspiracy, armed robbery, possession of firearms, among other offences.
The court, presided over by Justice Aigbona Terry Momodu, however, held that the prosecution had proved its case beyond reasonable doubt and therefore sentenced them to death by hanging or lethal injection.
The court further ordered that the firearms and ammunition tendered as exhibits be confiscated and handed over to the Edo State Police for destruction.
The convicts had reportedly abducted a woman at the Vegetable Market, off Airport Road in Benin City, but her husband escaped.
Governor Monday Okpebholo had, following the Vegetable Market incident, set up a Special Court to try cases of kidnapping and cultism.
