Governor Monday Okpebholo has formally requested the establishment of a special court to fast-track the prosecution of kidnapping and cultism cases in Edo State, according to a letter submitted to the state's Chief Judge and received on Friday.

The request comes as the Edo State government moves to tighten its response to violent crime amid growing concerns over kidnapping and cult-related violence. If approved, the proposed court would focus specifically on criminal cases involving the two offences, potentially reducing delays that often characterize criminal trials in the state's judicial system.

According to the letter, signed by Secretary to the State Government Umar Musa Ikhilor, the governor asked the Chief Judge to create a Special Court dedicated to handling cultism and kidnapping matters. The correspondence was officially received by the Office of the Chief Judge on Friday, a detail that places the proposal within days of the governor's latest public remarks on crime.

The government also recommended the appointment of three judges to serve on the panel, though the letter leaves the final decision on the number of judges to the discretion of the Chief Judge. The recommendation suggests the administration is seeking a structure capable of processing multiple cases simultaneously rather than relying on a single judicial officer.

The proposal follows a public warning delivered by Okpebholo on Thursday during a parade of suspected kidnappers and cultists organized by the Edo State Police Command. At the event, the governor said his administration would not tolerate violent criminal activity and argued that the state's criminal justice system must be strengthened to address the threat posed by organized criminal groups.

His remarks were unusually direct.

"So I want to appeal to our people to stay away from cultism and stay away from kidnapping because it will take you nowhere," Okpebholo said during the event.

He added: "It is cheaper for you to maintain your standard than to go into kidnapping and cultism because when you kidnap what you have before, you will lose it and you will lose your life."

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The governor also stated that he was prepared to sign the death warrant of any individual convicted and sentenced to death by hanging under the law. The comment highlighted the administration's intention to pursue existing legal penalties against offenders who receive capital punishment sentences through the courts.

That statement carries significance because death sentences, although imposed by courts in some criminal cases across Nigeria, require the approval of a state governor before execution can proceed. In practice, many death-row inmates remain in custody for years after sentencing because governors often decline to authorize executions.

The proposed court represents a different part of the state's strategy. Rather than creating new offences or penalties, it seeks to accelerate the judicial process for crimes already covered under existing laws.

Speed has become a recurring issue in criminal justice administration across several Nigerian states. Delays in investigations, prosecution and trial proceedings can leave suspects awaiting trial for extended periods while victims and their families wait for cases to be concluded. State governments have increasingly explored specialized courts and designated judicial panels as a way of reducing case backlogs in areas considered urgent.

In Edo, kidnapping has emerged as a major security concern. Criminal groups operating along highways and in rural communities have repeatedly targeted travelers, residents and business owners for ransom payments. Cult-related violence has also remained a persistent challenge, particularly in urban centres where clashes between rival groups have periodically resulted in deaths and injuries.

The governor's request suggests the administration views the two crimes as serious enough to warrant a dedicated judicial structure.

Yet important questions remain unanswered.

The letter does not indicate when the proposed court would begin operations if approved. It also does not specify whether the panel would hear only new cases or absorb existing kidnapping and cultism matters already before other courts. No details have been released regarding funding, staffing requirements or additional prosecutorial resources that may be needed to support the initiative.

The next step now rests with the Office of the Chief Judge, which must determine whether to establish the special court and, if so, how many judges will be assigned to it. As of Friday, the proposal had been formally received, but no public decision had been announced.