The Chief Judge of Edo State, Justice Daniel Okungbowa, has granted Governor Monday Okpebholo’s request by establishing a special court to try cases relating to cultism and kidnapping in the State.
The Chief Registrar of the State High Court, B.O. Osawaru, disclosed this in a statement dated June 25, 2026, confirming that the Special Court, to be known as “Special Criminal Court 1,” would take effect from Wednesday, July 1, 2026. The court will be sitting in Benin City, the state capital.
The statement, titled “Establishment and Composition of a Special Criminal Court for Edo State sitting in Benin City,” indicated that the court was established pursuant to the request by Governor Okpebholo for the constitution of a Special Court for offences relating to cultism and kidnapping.
The court will handle matters relating to cultism and kidnapping, along with such other matters as may be assigned to it by the Honourable Chief Judge of Edo State.
Governor’s Request
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, wrote to the Chief Judge of the state on June 19, 2026, formally requesting him to set up the special court.
The Governor’s request was contained in a letter 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 3:16pm.
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.
Aims of the Special Court
According to the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Dr. Patrick Akhere Ebojele, the special courts are designed to provide a focused judicial structure for handling cases involving kidnapping and cultism.
With dedicated judges and a specialised mandate, such courts can reduce delays, improve case management and ensure that justice is delivered within a reasonable period.
This judicial move is intended to match the speed of criminal investigations and arrests with a judicial process capable of delivering timely outcomes.
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