The Edo State High Court sitting in Benin City has sentenced four men to death for their involvement in kidnapping, cultism and other violent crimes.
The judgment was delivered by Justice Terry Momodu Aigbona of the Special Criminal Court after a proceeding that lasted for more than three hours.
The court convicted the alleged gang leader, 32-year-old Isaac Marvellous, on all 11 counts brought against him and sentenced him to death.
Three others — Wisdom Michael, 36; Rufus Michael, 30; and Gift Raphael, 27 — were also sentenced to death after being found guilty of the offences contained in the 11-count charge.
Justice Aigbona ordered that the convicts be executed by hanging or lethal injection, in accordance with the law.
The charges against the four included kidnapping, membership of a secret cult and other violent offences.
The court also imposed various prison terms on other defendants linked to the case.
In addition, firearms recovered from the convicts and tendered as exhibits were ordered to be handed over to the Federal Government.