Edo gets special court for cultism, kidnapping

The Chief Judge of Edo State, Justice Daniel Okungbowa, has constituted a special court to try cultism and kidnapping cases as part of efforts to tackle violent crimes in the state.

The development was announced in a statement issued by the Chief Registrar of the Edo State High Court, B.O. Osawaru, dated June 25, 2026, and titled, “Establishment and Composition of a Special Criminal Court for Edo State Sitting in Benin City.”

According to the statement, the court, to be known as Special Criminal Court 1, will begin sitting in Benin City, the state capital, on July 1.

Osawaru said the court was established pursuant to Governor Monday Okpebholo’s request for the constitution of a special court to handle offences relating to cultism and kidnapping.

The statement read, “An additional court to be known as ‘Special Criminal Court 1’ is hereby established with effect from Wednesday, the 1st day of July, 2026, for offences relating to cultism and kidnapping and such other matters as may be assigned to the court by the Honourable Chief Judge of Edo State.”

Okpebholo had on June 18, 2026, while addressing journalists during the parade of suspected kidnappers and other criminal suspects by the Commissioner of Police, Edo State Command, Monday Agbonika, vowed to establish a special court to ensure speedy prosecution of cultism and kidnapping cases.

The governor fulfilled the pledge the following day by writing to the Chief Judge to request the constitution of the court.

The request was contained in a letter dated June 19, 2026, signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Umar Ikhilor, and addressed to the Chief Judge.

The letter, with reference number SGA.710/T/40, was received by the Office of the Chief Judge on the same day at about 3:16 p.m.

Titled, “Request for the Constitution of a Special Court for Offences Relating to Cultism and Kidnapping,” the letter stated that the request was necessitated by the governor’s commitment to eradicating cultism and kidnapping in the state and strengthening the administration of criminal justice.

The SSG also requested the Chief Judge to nominate three judges, or such number as he considered appropriate, to constitute the Special Court.