A Special Criminal Court sitting in Benin City, Edo State, has sentenced four men to death after convicting them of kidnapping, cultism and other violent crimes.
Justice Terry Momodu Aigbona delivered the judgment after proceedings that lasted more than three hours.
Those sentenced are Isaac Marvellous, 32; Wisdom Michael, 36; Rufus Michael, 30; and Gift Raphael, 27.
Marvellous, identified during the trial as the leader of the kidnapping syndicate, was convicted on all 11 counts brought against him.
In an emotional moment in court, Justice Aigbona was reportedly in tears while pronouncing the sentences.
The court ordered that the condemned convicts be executed by hanging or through the administration of lethal injection, in accordance with the judgment.
Beyond the death sentences, the court also imposed various terms of imprisonment in relation to some of the offences for which the defendants were convicted.
Firearms recovered from the convicts and tendered as exhibits during the trial were also ordered to be handed over to the Federal Government.
The four men had faced an 11-count charge bordering on kidnapping, membership of a secret cult and other violent offences.
Further details of the judgment are expected to emerge.
