An Edo State High Court sitting in Benin City has sentenced four men to death by hanging for their involvement in kidnapping and secret cult activities.
The convicts were found guilty of offences contained in an 11-count charge, including kidnapping, cultism and other violent crimes, following a trial before the Special Criminal Court.
Justice Terry Momodu Aigbona delivered the judgment in Benin City after proceedings that lasted more than three hours, finding the alleged leader of the kidnapping gang, 32-year-old Isaac Marvellous, guilty on all 11 counts.
The court subsequently imposed the death sentence on Marvellous, directing that the punishment be carried out by hanging or, where applicable, through lethal injection.
The other convicts sentenced to death were identified as Wisdom Michael, 36; Rufus Michael, 30; and Gift Raphael, 27.
Justice Aigbona also imposed various prison terms on some of the defendants in connection with the offences established during the proceedings.
The judge further ordered that firearms tendered as exhibits and recovered from the convicts be forfeited and handed over to the Federal Government.
The court’s ruling brings the case to a major stage, with the condemned men now subject to the applicable procedures governing the enforcement of a death sentence.