Three suspects standing trial over the alleged abduction of a woman at the Vegetable Market in Benin City and other kidnapping incidents have closed their defence after denying all the allegations against them.
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Their lawyer, Amaechi Achi Onwuzor, expressed concern that some witnesses expected to testify in support of the defendants failed to appear before the Edo State Special Court handling cultism and kidnapping cases.
Onwuzor represents Marvelous Isaac, 32; Wisdom Michael, 36; and Rufus Emete Michael, 30, who are being tried alongside a fourth defendant, Gift Raphael, 27.
The proceedings are before Justice Aigbona Terry Momodu.
Speaking to journalists after Wednesday’s hearing, Onwuzor said the defence had concluded its case despite originally intending to call one or two additional witnesses.
“We have rounded off our case today. We have entered and concluded our defence. Though we were supposed to have one or two witnesses, unfortunately, the witnesses were not ready to appear before the court,” he said.
The lawyer said the absent witnesses could have supported the defendants’ claim that they were not present at the location of the alleged offence on the day it occurred.
“I am worried that the witnesses are not here because they would have been able to strengthen our case. We have a defence that, on the day of the alleged incident, our clients were not around. But unfortunately, they are not ready to come and give evidence,” he stated.
Onwuzor said the legal team could not compel the witnesses to testify and had therefore decided to proceed with the case without them.
“They refused to appear before the court for their own personal reasons because we live in a society where everybody has the right to decide what to do. If they say they are not coming, there is nothing we can do. So, we have to go ahead with the case,” he said.
During the resumed hearing, the three defendants denied involvement in the kidnapping allegations and maintained that they were not kidnappers.
Justice Momodu subsequently adjourned the matter until Friday, August 7, 2026, to allow the fourth defendant, Gift Raphael, to open her defence.
The adjournment followed an oral application by her counsel, Felix Imasuen, who requested time to hold a pre-trial conference with her before presenting her defence.
Imasuen told the court that the adjournment was necessary in the interest of justice.
The four defendants are facing a 10-count charge bordering on cultism, kidnapping, armed robbery and unlawful possession of firearms.
They were accused of abducting a woman at a vegetable market along Airport Road in Benin City on June 14, 2026, alongside other alleged kidnapping incidents.
The charges remain allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent until proved guilty by the court.
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