Edo Governor Okpebholo says he will sign death warrants for four convicted kidnappers unless appeals are lodged

Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State declared that he will sign death warrants for four individuals convicted of abducting a woman at the Vegetable Market on Airport Road in Benin City, provided the convicts do not lodge an appeal within the legally prescribed 30‑day period. The statement was made on 23 October 2026 during a fellowship gathering of God’s People Worldwide Prayer Ministry in Ekpoma, where the governor was reviewing his administration’s anti‑kidnapping initiatives.

Okpebholo’s announcement follows a sentencing by the Edo State Special Criminal Court on 29 September 2026, which handed down death penalties to the four suspects for the kidnapping incident. The governor indicated that he hopes the convicts will forgo any appeal, thereby allowing the execution of the death warrants without further delay.

Background The kidnapping took place at the Vegetable Market along Airport Road in Benin City, where a woman was abducted by an armed group. The case was tried in the newly established Special Criminal Court, a body created to expedite serious crimes such as kidnapping and cult‑related violence. On 29 September, the court sentenced the four accused to death, a decision that has drawn significant public attention.

Okpebholo, who assumed office earlier this year, has repeatedly identified insecurity as a primary challenge for his administration. He recounted that, after the market attack, he contacted President Bola Tinubu, who encouraged him to take decisive action. The governor also reported that he immediately instructed the Commissioner of Police to secure the arrests, citing a personal conviction that the perpetrators would be apprehended quickly.

During the same prayer ministry event, the governor referenced earlier meetings with traditional rulers across Edo State, warning them against intervening on behalf of individuals involved in kidnapping or cult activities. He also mentioned unusual occurrences he attributed to spiritual forces after his government demolished a building alleged to be linked to a cult, noting the death of a black bird in his office and a vulture in his bedroom.

Why it matters The governor’s pledge directly impacts the four convicted individuals, whose lives hinge on whether an appeal is filed within the stipulated period. If no appeal is lodged, the signing of death warrants would move the case toward execution, reflecting the state’s stringent stance on kidnapping.

The broader community in Edo State is also affected. The governor’s firm response is intended to deter future kidnappings and signal a zero‑tolerance policy toward violent crime, a message reinforced by his earlier discussions with President Tinubu and his public appeals to law‑enforcement agencies. The case has drawn national media coverage, highlighting ongoing concerns about security, cultism, and the effectiveness of the Special Criminal Court.

Religious leaders associated with the prayer ministry, including Apostle Ehijele Umuahia, have used the platform to encourage political participation in the upcoming 2027 elections, linking moral support for the governor with electoral engagement. While this reflects a broader political context, the immediate focus remains on the legal process surrounding the four death sentences.

What happens next The next procedural step hinges on the convicts’ decision to appeal. Under Nigerian law, an appeal must be lodged within 30 days of sentencing; failure to do so will trigger the governor’s commitment to sign the death warrants. Should an appeal be filed, the legal process will extend, potentially delaying any execution.

The governor’s office has not indicated any further actions beyond the signing of warrants, but the statement suggests continued monitoring of the case and ongoing collaboration with security agencies. The situation remains under close observation by both state authorities and national media outlets.