The Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has written to the Chief Judge of the state, Justice Daniel Okungbowa, urging him to constitute a special court for the purpose of trying offences relating to cultism and kidnapping in the state.
DAILY POST reports that the governor also requested the Chief Judge to nominate three or any number of judges he deems fit to serve in the court.
The governor’s request was contained in a letter dated June 19, 2026, signed by Umar Musa Ikhilor, the Secretary to the State Government, and addressed to the Chief Judge of the state.
The letter, with reference number SGA.710/T/40, was received by the office of the Chief Judge on the same date, June 19, 2026, at about 3:16 p.m.
The letter is titled: “Request for the Constitution of a Special Court for Offences Relating to Cultism and Kidnapping.”
The SSG said the request was necessitated by the governor’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.
According to him, “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,” he said.
DAILY POST recalls that the governor had, on Thursday, June 18, 2026, during the parade of suspected kidnappers at the Edo State Police Command in Benin City, threatened to set up a dedicated court to ensure the swift prosecution of cultism- and kidnapping-related offenders.
He vowed to sign the death warrant for the execution, by hanging, of any suspect found guilty by the court.
He said the trial of suspects by the special court would not last more than three weeks.
