Okpebholo urges Edo Chief Judge to establish a special court for cultists and kidnappers

The Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has written to the state’s Chief Judge, Justice Daniel Okungbowa, requesting the establishment of a special court to try offences related to cultism and kidnapping in the state.

According to DAILY POST, the governor also asked the Chief Judge to nominate three or more judges, as he deems appropriate, to serve on the court.

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

The letter, reference number SGA.710/T/40, was received by the Chief Judge’s office on the same day, 19 June 2026, at approximately 3:16 p.m.

It is titled “Request for the Constitution of a Special Court for Offences Relating to Cultism and Kidnapping.”

In the letter, the SSG explained that the request stems from the governor’s firm commitment to eliminate cultism and kidnapping in Edo State and to strengthen the administration of criminal justice.

He wrote: “I write at the instance of the Executive Governor of Edo State, His Excellency, Senator Monday Okpebholo, to formally request Your Lordship to constitute a Special Court for the expeditious hearing and determination of cases relating to cultism and kidnapping in Edo State. This request is necessitated by His Excellency’s unwavering commitment to tackling and eradicating the menace of cultism and kidnapping in the state, as well as strengthening the administration of criminal justice in this regard. In view of the foregoing, His Excellency respectfully recommends the nomination of three (3) judges, or such number as Your Lordship may deem fit, to constitute the Special Court. It is our hope that this request will receive Your Lordship’s urgent and favourable consideration.”

DAILY POST also recalls that on Thursday, 18 June 2026, during a parade of suspected kidnappers at the Edo State Police Command in Benin City, the governor threatened to establish a dedicated court to ensure the swift prosecution of cultism‑ and kidnapping‑related offenders. He said he would sign a death warrant for the execution by hanging of any suspect found guilty by the court, and that trials in the special court would not last more than three weeks.