Edo State to Launch Special Court for Cult and Kidnapping Cases

The Edo High Court of Justice will start a Special Criminal Court in July. This court will speed up trials for cultism and kidnapping cases.

The Chief Registrar of the Court, Benson Osawaru, shared this news in a statement on Friday in Benin.

Osawaru said the new court was set up following a request from Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State. He added that this Special Criminal Court will handle cultism, kidnapping, and other cases assigned by the Chief Judge of the state, Daniel Okungbowa.

Mr Osawaru said, "The move is expected to address the rising cases of cult-related violence and abductions across the state by ensuring speedy dispensation of justice and serving as a deterrent to perpetrators."

On June 18, during a parade at the police headquarters in Benin, the governor announced the establishment of the Special Criminal Court. He wanted to fast-track cases involving special criminal offences.

Edo State has been seriously affected by cultism, kidnapping, and related crimes. In May, suspected cultists killed a University of Benin student and injured three others right in front of the school gate.

Last August, one person died during a cult initiation in Auchi, Etsako West Local Government Area of Edo. The situation has raised alarm among residents.

In January 2024, the then-Commissioner of Police in Edo, Funsho Adegboye, raised concerns about the increase of firearms and the rise of cultism in the state.

Governor Okpebholo said, "During my campaign, I placed security above all. It is a priority for my administration because it is important. The rate of cultism is not acceptable to my administration."

He added, "The issue of cultism is not acceptable in Edo. We do not want to lose anybody and will be firm about this. We must smoke criminals out of the state, wherever they are hiding and ensure that the state is safe for all."

Recently, the governor revealed that some Edo residents go to other parts of Nigeria to recruit criminals for kidnapping and armed robbery in the state.

He said, "Our people now recruit criminals to help them do the job. They will kidnap somebody and hand over to the people in the bush. Tomorrow you will see them driving expensive cars, building houses. How are they getting these things? They will tell you they are Yahoo Boys."

On another occasion, the governor linked the rise in kidnappings and insecurity in Nigeria to the opposition. He claimed it was a tactic to unseat President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 elections.

He stated, "What is happening today is the handiwork of the opposition. They have failed. Have they not failed? Is it by kidnapping children? Then who are you going to govern? There will be nobody for you to govern. So let them give us peace so that we can rule well."

He concluded, "There is no vacancy in Aso Rock. They can even kidnap all of us, yes, there is no vacancy in Aso Rock."