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Felix Omoh-Asun in Benin
Edo State Chief Judge, Justice Daniel Okungbowa, said yesterday that the state had constituted a Special court to try cases relating to cultism and kidnapping.
Chief Registrar of the State High Court, Benson Osawaru, disclosed this in a statement.
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He said the court will be sitting in Benin City, the state capital.
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Governor Okpebholo had on June 18, 2026 during the parade of arrested suspected kidnappers and others for various criminal activities by the Commissioner of Police, Edo State Command, Monday Agbonika, threatened to set up a special court to try cases relating to cultism and kidnapping.
The governor in living up to his threat on June 19, 2026, wrote to the Chief Judge of the state requesting him to set up the special court.
The governor’s request was contained in a letter dated June 19, 2026 and 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 also received by the office of the chief judge on the same date, June 19, 2026 at about 3:16pm.
In the said letter etitled, “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.
The letter also requested the Chief Judge to nominate three judges
or such numbers as he may deem fit, to constitute the Special Court

