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From Tony Osauzo and Ighomuaye Lucky, Benin
The Edo State High Court, Benin and dedicated to the trial of suspects facing charges of kidnapping, cultism and other violent crimes, yesterday sentenced four persons to death for kidnapping.
The court, presided over by Justice Aigbona Momodu, convicted the four accused persons after finding them guilty on various counts contained in the 11-count charge.
The convicts are Marvellous Isaac, 32; Wisdom Michael, 36; Rufus Emete Michael, 30; and Gift Raphael, 27.
They had pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Justice Momodu sentenced the convicts to death by hanging or lethal injection, in accordance with the applicable law.
The prosecution told the court that the convicts were involved in a series of kidnapping incidents, including the broad-daylight abduction of one Oseghale Precious on June 14.
They were arrested three days after the incident, following which other victims reportedly identified them and testified against them.
During the trial, the prosecution, led by the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Roland Otaru, called seven witnesses, while the defendants did not call any witnesses.
In his judgment, Justice Momodu held that the defence did not object to the exhibits tendered by the prosecution, particularly the confessional statements attributed to the convicts.
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The court found the first defendant, Marvellous Isaac, guilty on all the counts. He was sentenced to seven years’ imprisonment on count one, 10 years on count 10, life imprisonment on count 11, and death on counts two to nine.
The second defendant, Wisdom Michael, was discharged and acquitted on counts 10 and 11, while judgment was entered against him on the other counts as applicable.
Rufus Michael was sentenced to seven years’ imprisonment on count one and death on counts two and three, while he was discharged and acquitted on counts four, five, eight, nine, 10 and 11.
The only female defendant, Gift Raphael, was discharged and acquitted on counts four, five, eight, nine, 10 and 11. She was sentenced to seven years’ imprisonment on count one and death on counts two, four, six and eight.
Reacting to the judgment, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and Notary Public, Olayiwola Afolabi, cautioned Governor Monday Okpebholo against taking immediate steps to execute the convicts.
Afolabi urged the governor to allow the convicts exercise their right of appeal within the 90-day period provided by law.
“The governor cannot order execution of the convicts. It is only when they fail to file an appeal within the required 90 days,” he said.
He added: “I know the Attorney-General will not advise the governor to carry out the execution when the 90 days have not expired.”
Also reacting, another lawyer, Jude Okonkwo, commended Justice Momodu for what he described as a right judgment and a good effort.
