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By IMELDA OSAYANDE
The Edo Special Criminal Court on Friday commenced the trial of four persons accused of kidnapping a woman at the Airport Road vegetable market in Benin on June 14.
The defendants are Marvelous Isaac, 32; Wisdom Michael, 36; Rufus Michael, 30; and Gift Raphael, 27.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the prosecuting team, led by the Solicitor-General of the state Ministry of Justice, Mr Stephen Okoror, tendered documentary evidence and called five witnesses.
The defendants are standing trial on an 11-count charge bordering on conspiracy, kidnapping, armed robbery, illegal possession of firearms, and cultism. They pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Okoror said the offences contravene Section 412 of the Criminal Law of Edo, 2022, and relevant provisions of the Kidnapping (Prohibition) Law, 2009 (as amended).
He added that the offences also violate provisions of the Robbery and Firearms (Special Provisions) Act, Cap. R11, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, as well as Section 4(2) of the Edo State Secret Cult and Similar Activities (Prohibition) Law, 2025.
One of the victims, Mrs Precious Oseghale, in her adopted statement, told the court that she was kidnapped, blindfolded and taken to a bush, where she was held until her release after payment of a N15 million ransom.
Her husband, Osaghale, who also testified, identified the only female defendant as one of those who collected the ransom at a designated point.
Another witness, Blessing Nosa, said she was kidnapped on March 8 at Oreoghene Street, off Siluko Road, Benin City
The prosecutor further alleged that the defendants kidnapped one Lawwan Alex on March 26 at Ekehuan Road, Benin City, and on April 23 robbed one Idehen Paul of his Lexus RX 350 vehicle, abducted him, and later collected ransom.
Counsel to the defendants, Mr Nwuzor Amechi, did not oppose the admission of the documentary evidence.
The presiding judge, Justice Terry Momodu, adjourned the case to July 21 for continuation of trial.
Shortly before the sitting, the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Prof. Roland Otaru (SAN), commended Gov. Monday Okpebholo for establishing the Special Criminal Court.
He also commended the Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II, for supporting efforts to curb criminality, and urged parents to properly guide their children. (NAN)
