The Edo High Court of Justice is set to inaugurate a Special Criminal Court in July to expedite trials for cultism and kidnapping offences, according to a statement from the court's Chief Registrar, Benson Osawaru, released on Friday in Benin.
Court Established at Governor's Request
Osawaru explained that the designated Special Criminal Court was constituted at the request of Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State. The new court will handle cases of cultism, kidnapping, and other matters assigned by the Chief Judge of the state, Daniel Okungbowa.
“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,” Osawaru stated.
Background and Rising Crime
The News Agency of Nigeria recalls that on 18 June, during the parade of suspected kidnappers and cultists at the police headquarters in Benin, Governor Okpebholo announced plans to establish a Special Criminal Court to fast-track litigations on special criminal offences.
Edo remains one of the Nigerian states most severely impacted 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 reportedly died during a cult initiation at Auchi, Etsako West Local Government Area of Edo.
Former Commissioner of Police in Edo, Funsho Adegboye, expressed concern in January 2024 over the proliferation of firearms and the rise of cultism in the state.
Governor's Stance on Security
“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,” Governor Okpebholo said in 2024. “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,” he added.
Okpebholo, a few days ago, claimed that some Edo residents now travel to a certain part of Nigeria to recruit criminals for kidnapping, armed robbery, and other crimes in the state. “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.”
Political Allegations
On a different occasion, the governor blamed kidnappings and general insecurity in Nigeria on the opposition, alleging it was a ploy to unseat President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 general elections. “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,” Okpebholo said in Benin during an APC campaign in June. “There is no vacancy in Aso Rock. They can even kidnap all of us—yes, there is no vacancy in Aso Rock.”
