Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo has vowed to sign the death warrants of four convicted kidnappers if they fail to appeal their sentences within 30 days.
The governor made the declaration on Friday while speaking at God’s People Worldwide Prayer Ministry in Ekpoma, where he discussed his administration’s efforts to tackle kidnapping, cultism, and other crimes.
The four convicts were sentenced to death by the Edo State Special Criminal Court on September 29 over the abduction of a woman at the Vegetable Market along Airport Road in Benin City.
They were identified as Marvellous Isaac, Wisdom Michael, Rufus Emete Michael, and Gift Raphael. The court convicted them on multiple counts, including kidnapping, conspiracy, armed robbery, cultism, and unlawful possession of firearms.
Okpebholo said insecurity was a major concern when he assumed office and that he prioritized tackling it after discussing the situation with President Bola Tinubu.
He said he had directed the police to arrest those responsible for the market abduction without delay.
The governor expressed hope that the convicts would not appeal their sentences, adding that he would proceed with signing the death warrants if the 30-day period elapsed without an appeal.
