An Edo State High Court sitting in Benin City has sentenced four persons to death by hanging for kidnapping, cultism and other violent crimes.

Justice Terry Momodu Aigbona of the Special Criminal Court convicted the four men after a judgment that lasted more than three hours.

The gang leader, 32-year-old Isaac Marvellous, was convicted on all 11 counts, while the other convicts were identified as Wisdom Michael, 36; Rufus Michael, 30; and Gift Raphael, 27.

The court ordered that the convicts be executed by hanging or lethal injection. It also imposed various prison terms in connection with the offences and ordered that firearms recovered from the gang be handed over to the Federal Government.

Justice Aigbona reportedly broke down in tears while delivering the judgment.