A Special Criminal Court in Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria, has sentenced four people to death for kidnapping and membership of a secret cult.
Justice Terry Momodu Aigbona delivered the sentences after a judgment which lasted more than three hours. The court convicted Isaac Marvellous, 32, the gang leader, on all 11 counts which he was charged with. The charges included kidnapping, cultism and other violent crimes.
Justice Aigbona ordered that Marvellous be executed by hanging or lethal injection. The same death sentence was passed on three other convicted persons: Wisdom Michael, 36; Rufus Michael, 30; and Gift Raphael, 27. It is reported that the judge was in tears while delivering the judgment.
The court imposed various prison terms on the other defendants involved in the case. Firearms recovered during investigations and tendered as exhibits were ordered to be handed over to the Federal Government. The court’s ruling followed proceedings concerning the kidnapping syndicate and its alleged involvement in cult-related activities.
Further details of the judgment are expected to emerge.
