BREAKING: Edo court sentences four to death for kidnapping, cultism

An Edo State High Court sitting in Benin City has sentenced four persons to death by hanging for kidnapping and membership of a secret cult.

The Special Criminal Court, presided over by Justice Terry Momodu Aigbona, sentenced the four kidnappers to death by hanging after a judgment that lasted more than three hours in Benin City.

Justice Aigbona, who was in tears while pronouncing the judgment, convicted the gang leader of the kidnapping syndicate, Isaac Marvellous, 32, on all 11 counts and sentenced him accordingly.

The judge ordered that the convicts be hanged to death or executed through the administration of lethal injection.

They were convicted on an 11-count charge bordering on kidnapping, cultism and other violent crimes.

The other condemned persons are Wisdom Michael, 36; Rufus Michael, 30; and Gift Raphael, 27.

The court also handed down several jail terms to the suspects, while the firearms recovered from them as exhibits were ordered to be handed over to the Federal Government.

Further details of the judgment are expected.