By Davidson Ogbebor

The Edo State Special Criminal Court sitting in Benin City is set to deliver its first judgment in a kidnapping case on September 29, 2026, arising from the abduction of a woman at the Vegetable Market along Airport Road, Benin City.

The development was disclosed by the Chief Press Secretary to the Edo State Governor, Dr. Patrick Akhere Ebojele, in a statement issued on Sunday, September 27, 2026.

The woman was abducted in broad daylight on June 14 by gunmen who reportedly used an SUV during the operation. The incident prompted a police investigation which led to the arrest of several suspects.

The Edo State Special Criminal Court was established in July 2026 following a directive by Governor Monday Okpebholo for the judiciary to accelerate the prosecution of kidnapping and cultism cases in the state.

Governor Okpebholo, during a visit to the Edo State Police Command headquarters where suspects linked to the incident were paraded, had warned that anyone found guilty would face the full weight of the law.

The governor also stated that he would personally sign death warrants where such punishment was prescribed by law and ordered by a competent court.

According to the statement, one of the suspects, Marvelous Isaac, 32, was arrested on June 18 during a gun duel with operatives of the Police Intelligence Response Team. Another alleged member of the gang, identified as Precious, was killed during the operation.

Further investigations led to the arrest of Gift Raphael, 27, Wisdom Michael and Rufus Michael, who were reportedly taken into police custody.

The abducted woman was subsequently released unharmed, two days after the incident.

Police investigations also led to the recovery of a red Lexus RX 350 allegedly used in the abduction, as well as a pump-action shotgun with live ammunition, a motorcycle and cash suspected to be proceeds of crime.

The September 29 judgment is expected to be a significant test of the capacity of the newly established Special Criminal Court to deliver timely justice in cases involving kidnapping, violent crime and ransom-related offences.

The verdict will also provide an early indication of the effectiveness of the state government’s renewed judicial and security measures against organised criminal activities in Edo State.