The Chief Judge of Edo State, Justice Daniel Okungbowa, has constituted a special court to try cultism and kidnapping cases as part of efforts to tackle violent crimes in the state.
The development was announced in a statement issued by the Chief Registrar of the Edo State High Court, B.O. Osawaru, dated June 25, 2026, and titled, “Establishment and Composition of a Special Criminal Court for Edo State Sitting in Benin City.”
According to the statement, the court, to be known as Special Criminal Court 1, will begin sitting in Benin City, the state capital, on July 1.
Osawaru said the court was established pursuant to Governor Monday Okpebholo’s request for the constitution of a special court to handle offences relating to cultism and kidnapping.
The statement read, “An additional court to be known as ‘Special Criminal Court 1’ is hereby established with effect from Wednesday, the 1st day of July, 2026, for offences relating to cultism and kidnapping and such other matters as may be assigned to the court by the Honourable Chief Judge of Edo State.”
