Relatives of four convicted kidnappers wept uncontrollably yesterday as an Edo State High Court sentenced them to death, bringing an emotionally charged end to the first kidnapping case publicly tried by the state’s Special Court for Cultism and Kidnapping Cases.
The courtroom was filled to the brim as Justice Aigbona Terry Momodu handed down the sentences, a crowd gathered outside the court premises to catch a glimpse of the convicts as they were led away.
The atmosphere evoked memories of the sentencing of notorious armed robber Lawrence Anini and members of his gang in the 1980s, whose case and subsequent execution became one of the most dramatic criminal justice episodes in the state.
The four convicts – Marvellous Isaac, 32; Wisdom Michael, 36; Rufus Emete Michael, 30; and Gift Raphael, 27 – were sentenced to death by hanging or lethal injection for their roles in the abduction of Precious Oseghale at the Vegetable Market along Airport Road, Benin City.
The case was the first kidnapping matter to be concluded by the special court, established by the state judiciary in June, to facilitate speedy trials of cultism and kidnapping cases.
The kidnapping of Oseghale in broad daylight at the market happened in July.
Governor Monday Okpebholo had earlier vowed to sign the death warrants of kidnappers and cultists convicted under state laws and have them publicly executed.
The administration has also demolished houses allegedly belonging to suspected cultists and kidnappers.
The four defendants had pleaded not guilty to the 11-count charge involving kidnapping, armed robbery, cultism and unlawful possession of firearms.
Our correspondent in Edo state reported that other victims who testified during the trial included Lawani Alex, Nosa Blessing and Idehen Owenaze. They told the court that they were abducted by the gang and paid ransom before being released.
The prosecution said the gang collected N8 million and jewellery worth N15 million from Precious, while other victims paid N12.4 million and N5.5 million in ransom.
Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice Roland Otaru, who led the prosecution, closed the case after calling seven witnesses and tendering video evidence, including CCTV footage of the Vegetable Market kidnapping.
The defendants did not call witnesses but testified in their own defence.
Delivering judgment, Justice Momodu held that the prosecution proved the 11 counts beyond reasonable doubt.
He said there was no successful objection to the exhibits tendered, including the defendants’ confessional statements.
The judge rejected the defence claim that the statements had been obtained through coercion, describing it as an afterthought. He also rejected the alibi defence raised by the defendants, noting that it was not raised during police questioning.
Justice Momodu found Marvellous guilty on all 11 counts. He sentenced him to seven years’ imprisonment on count one, 10 years on count 10 and life imprisonment on count 11, while imposing the death sentence on counts two to nine.
Wisdom was sentenced to seven years’ imprisonment on count one and death on counts two to nine. He was discharged and acquitted on counts 10 and 11.
Rufus was sentenced to seven years on count one and death on counts two to nine. He was, however, discharged and acquitted on counts four, five, eight, nine, 10 and 11.
Gift, the only female defendant, was discharged and acquitted on counts four, five, eight, nine, 10 and 11. She was sentenced to seven years’ imprisonment on count one and death on counts two, four, six and eight.
Before pronouncing judgment, Justice Momodu said the law constrained the court, adding that the defendants had the right to appeal.
He commended the owners of the CCTV system that captured the Vegetable Market kidnapping and urged residents and the state government to install surveillance cameras in homes and public places.
A human rights lawyer, Olayiwola Afolabi, said the convicts had 90 days within which to appeal the judgment.
“The governor cannot order execution of the convicts. It is only when they fail to file an appeal within the required 90 days.
“I know the Attorney-General will not advise the governor to carry out the execution when the 90 days have not expired,” he said.
The special court was established by the Chief Judge of Edo State following a request by Okpebholo on June 19, for a mechanism to accelerate the trial of kidnapping and cultism cases.
The governor had, while advocating the establishment of the court, vowed that convicted kidnappers and cultists would face execution.
“We are going to set up a special court to prosecute kidnappers and cultists.
“Within two weeks, the court will be done with proceedings. I will sign your execution,” he had said.
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