The Edo State Special Criminal Court in Benin City has convicted four persons, Marvelous Isaac, Wisdom Michael, Rufus Michael, and Gift Raphael, for kidnapping and armed robbery. The court, established in July 2026, delivered its judgment on September 29, 2026, in a case that began with 11 counts of conspiracy, kidnapping, illegal possession of firearms, and armed robbery. The defendants were found guilty on all counts, with the prosecution proving the case beyond reasonable doubt.
The judgment, delivered by Justice Aigbona Jerry Momodu, relied on various laws, including Section 4(2) of the Edo State Secret Cult and Similar Activities Law, Section 2(1) of the Kidnapping Prohibition Law of Edo State 2009, as amended, and Section 128 of the Armed Robbery and Firearms (Special Provisions) Act. The prosecution, led by the Edo State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Professor Roland Otaru, presented seven witnesses and 15 exhibits, including confessional statements and video footage of a kidnapping incident.
The defendants, who pleaded not guilty to the charges, made confessional statements to the police during interrogation. During the trial, they testified in their own defense but did not call any witnesses. The exhibits tendered by the prosecution included statements made by the defendants, video footage capturing a kidnapping incident at the Vegetable Market, off Airport Road, on June 14, 2026, eyewitness accounts, and firearms, including two live cartridges allegedly found in their possession.
The gang leader, Marvelous Isaac, who escaped from prison during the 2020 #EndSARS protest, is the CSO of Urehi Community. He was found guilty of membership of the Eiye Confraternity, described as an outlawed group under the state's anti-cultism law. The defendants were involved in multiple incidents of kidnapping and armed robbery, including the abduction of Mrs. Oseghale Ofure Precious at the Vegetable Market, off Airport Road, on June 14, 2026.
The kidnappers allegedly dispossessed Mrs. Precious of jewelry worth several million naira and collected N8 million as ransom. She was released on June 27, 2026. The defendants were also involved in the robbery of Owenaze Idehen Paul's Lexus 350 car on April 23, 2026, and the robbery of Lawani Alex's N35,000, a Tecno phone, and car key on March 26, 2026, at Ekenwan Road, Benin City.
Furthermore, the defendants allegedly kidnapped Blessing Nosa in March 2025 at Oreoghene Street, off Siluko Road, Benin City. They collected N25 million in ransom from her family and handed her over to another kidnapping group, which reportedly collected an additional N5 million before releasing her. The judgment, which lasted almost three hours, was relayed live on major television stations across the country.
The conviction marks a significant milestone for the Edo State Special Criminal Court, established to tackle crimes such as kidnapping and armed robbery. The court's judgment demonstrates its commitment to upholding the law and bringing perpetrators to justice. The defendants will face sentencing in due course.
Key points
- The Edo State Special Criminal Court convicted four individuals for kidnapping and armed robbery, marking a significant test-case judgment since its establishment in July 2026.
- The defendants were found guilty on all 11 counts, including membership of an outlawed group, kidnapping, and armed robbery.
- The conviction demonstrates the court's commitment to upholding the law and bringing perpetrators to justice.
