Edo State Special Criminal Court Delivers Landmark Death Sentence Verdict

The Edo State Special Criminal Court has on 29th day of September, 2026 delivered its first judgment wherein 4 accused persons were found guilty of the counts against them and accordingly sentenced to death by hanging. 

Sometime in June, 2026, the 1st-3rd convicted persons kidnapped a woman at gun point at Vegetable market, Airport road,within the Benin metropolis. The trio initially tried to kidnap the woman’s husband who escaped from them, leaving his vehicle behind. However, his wife was not so lucky, the trio caught the wife and took her hostage. The fourth convict was a woman who was picked up by the 1st -3rd convicts on their way after the kidnapp operations. It was later discovered that the woman who was picked up after the kidnap operation was the one who supplied food to the kidnappers. The kidnappers, now convicts called and demanded for ransom. The money they demanded for was paid to them and they released their victim.

The police were able to apprehend the kidnappers and they were brought to face the wrath of the law.
Upon the proof of the complaint’s case, the Special Criminal Court sitting in Benin city found all the Convicts guilty of the offenses they were charged with and proceeded to convict and sentenced them to death by hanging.

Next Steps and Appeals

Following the sentencing, the legal framework allows for the convicts to pursue appeals through higher judicial authorities. This ensures that due process is maintained and that all legal avenues for review are available. The appeals process will be closely monitored by legal experts, human rights organizations, and the public, given the gravity of the case and the sentences imposed.

In conclusion, the Edo State Special Criminal Court’s first judgment represents a critical moment in the administration of criminal justice within the state. The decision to sentence the four accused to death by hanging reflects the court’s resolve to address serious crimes decisively, while also inviting broader conversations about justice, punishment, and legal reform in Nigeria.