Kidnap trial: Defence laments absence of witnesses as three suspects close case

Barrister Amaechi Achi Onwuzor, counsel to suspected kidnappers standing trial over the alleged abduction of a woman at the Vegetable Market and other kidnapping incidents in Benin City, has lamented the failure of some witnesses to appear before the court to testify.

DAILY POST reports that Barrister Amaechi expressed the concern while speaking to newsmen on Wednesday, August 5, 2026, after the close of the defence’s case.

Amaechi is counsel to three of the four suspects standing trial at the Special Court set up by the Edo State Government to handle cultism- and kidnapping-related cases in the state.

The special court is presided over by Justice Aigbona Terry Momodu.

Amaechi is counsel to Marvelous Isaac, 32; Wisdom Michael, 36; and Rufus Emete Michael, 30.

The other defendant is 27-year-old Miss Gift Raphael.

He said the absence of the witnesses is a setback to the fair and speedy determination of the case.

According to him, “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.

“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.

“So, we leave it at that.

“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.

Earlier, at the resumed hearing of the case, the three defendants denied involvement in all the kidnapping allegations levelled against them, insisting that they are not kidnappers.

Justice Aigbona Terry Momodu, however, adjourned the case to Friday, August 7, 2026, to enable the fourth defendant to open her defence.

The adjournment followed an oral application by Barrister Felix Imasuen, counsel to the fourth defendant, Miss Gift Raphael, to enable him to have a pre-trial conference with her before the commencement of her defence.

He said the adjournment for the pre-trial conference was in the interest of justice.

The suspects, who allegedly abducted a woman at a vegetable market along Airport Road on June 14, 2026, in Benin City, are facing a 10-count charge bordering on cultism, kidnapping, armed robbery, and unlawful possession of firearms.