‘I am an electrician’ – Suspected Edo kidnap gang leader denies charges

The suspected gang leader of the kidnapping syndicate that abducted a woman at a vegetable market along Airport Road in Benin City, Marvelous Isaac, has denied being a kidnapper, saying he is an electrician.

DAILY POST reports that the suspect made the claim on Friday during his trial before Justice Terry Aigbona Momodu of the Special Criminal Court set up by the Edo State Government to prosecute kidnapping and cultism related cases.

The 32-year-old Marvelous Isaac was cross-examined by the Edo State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Prof Roland Otaru.

He denied being involved in the June 14, 2026 vegetable market kidnapping incident and other cases he was accused of spearheading in the state.

The accused and three others are facing a 10-count charge bordering on alleged kidnapping, armed robbery, cultism and unlawful possession of firearms.

The suspected gang leader also denied knowing the other two suspects facing trial with him, apart from his 27-year-old girlfriend identified as Miss Gift Raphael.

The other suspects are Wisdom Michael, 36, and Rufus Emete Michael, 30.

“I am not a kidnapper but an electrician specialized in wiring of houses. I don’t own a car and I don’t know how to drive,” he said.

Isaac also denied knowing Oreoghene Street, Siluko Road axis in Benin City, where he was alleged by the prosecution to have kidnapped a victim on March 8, 2025 and collected a ransom of N5 million.

Other kidnapping incidents that the accused also denied being involved in are the April 23, 2026 abduction of one Mr Paul at his wife’s pharmacy store, opposite the Ekenwa Army Barracks, and another one on May 26, 2026, also along Ekehuan Road, near GT Bank, Benin City.

He denied collecting a ransom of N5.5 million, Lexus RX 350 SUV, N12.5 million, Tecno Spark 20 Pro+ phone, car keys and other valuables from the two victims before they were released.

After the cross examination, Justice Aigbona Terry Momodu adjourned the case to Wednesday, August 5, 2026.

Speaking to newsmen, the Solicitor-General and Permanent Secretary, Edo State Ministry of Justice, Stephen Okoror, described the proceeding as excellent.

Okoror said the defence counsel has been able to open his case by calling the first accused, Marvelous Isaac.

While noting that the accused denied all the allegations and the charge levelled against him, he expressed optimism that justice would be done at the end of the trial.

‘I am an electrician’ – Suspected Edo kidnap gang leader denies charges