The four suspected kidnappers facing trial at the special criminal court set up by the Edo State Chief Judge, Justice Daniel Okungbowa at the request of Governor Monday Okpebholo, will on Friday July 24, 2026, open their defence as the state government closed its case on Tuesday July 21. The trial began on Friday July 17, 2026.

The establishment of the court, known as Special Criminal Court 1, was demanded for by Governor Okpebholo for the purpose of expeditious hearing of kidnapping and cult related cases to stem the tide.

The governor had vowed to sign the death warrant of any convict so sentenced, declaring that they would be executed at the Ring Road, the city centre.

The Chief Registrar of the State High Court, Benson Osawaru, announced the creation of the special court in a statement dated June 25, 2026.

The four suspects are being tried for the abduction of a woman at the vegetable market along Airport Road, Benin City.

The suspects are facing a 10-count charge bordering on alleged kidnapping, armed robbery, cultism and unlawful possession of firearms.

The defendants, Marvellous Isaac, 32, Wisdom Michael, 36, Rufus Emete Michael, 30, and Gift Raphael, 27, are being prosecuted by the Edo State Government and the Nigerian Police.

The Commissioner for Justice and Attorney- General of the state, Prof Roland Otaru, who led other prosecution counsel to close the case, said five witnesses appeared last week Friday while two appeared on Tuesday.

The five witnesses who appeared last week were victims of the suspects while the other witnesses were investigative police officers, IPOs.

One of the IPOs from the Force Intelligence Department/Intelligence Response Team, Zone 5 Annex, tendered video documents where the suspects were interrogated and their written statements taken.

He tendered a voice note of the female suspect among the kidnapping gang, identified as Gift Raphael, during her conversation with the gang leader, Marvellous Isaac, who was her boyfriend.

He also tendered a pump action gun, Android Camo 20 mobile phone, Lexus SUV, among others as exhibits which were all admitted in evidence by the court.

The witnesses were cross-examined by Barrister Amaechi Achi Onwuzor and Barrister Felix Osadebamwen Imasuen, counsel to the first, second, third, and fourth defendants, respectively.

Onwuzor, who objected to some of the documents tendered by the prosecution counsel, added that he would address the court on the matter in his final written address.

Justice Aigbona Terry Momodu adjourned the case to Friday, July 24, 2026, for the defendants to open their defence.

Speaking to newsmen after the sitting, Edo State Solicitor-General and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Justice, Stephen Okoror, said the state government had investigated the case and tendered a lot of documents which included the gun used by the accused.

Okoror, who described the special court as legal, noted that its establishment indicated that the state government was committed to ridding the state of all forms of criminals.

“At the end of the trials, the state would no longer experience kidnappings and cultism. It is actually a special court created by the Chief Judge of Edo State. It has the rights. They call it a special court. It’s not a customary court.

“It’s a court carved out by the Chief Judge to hear only kidnapping cases and cult-related matters,” he said.

In his comment, Amaechi Achi Onwuzor, who appeared for the first, second and third defendants pro bono, said his duty was to defend the suspects in line with the constitution.

Onwuzor said at the end of the trial, the court would deliver judgement based on the evidence before it.