THE DEBATE ABOUT DEATH PENALTY

The state of Nigeria is grappling with the complex issue of whether to retain the death penalty as a means of punishment for certain crimes. In a bid to address the growing numbers of death row inmates, the country is aligning with the global movement marked by the 2026 World Day Against the Death Penalty, themed 'Stories for Life'. This theme underscores the need to tell human stories behind each case, emphasizing the profound questions surrounding justice, human dignity, and the possibility of irreversible errors.

Mr Stefan Rössel, the German ambassador to Nigeria, recently hosted an event in Abuja with Avocats Sans Frontieres (ASF) France to commemorate the date. He highlighted the importance of how we report on these questions, as behind every case lies a human story. The debate on capital punishment continues to be a contentious topic among sociologists, moral philosophers, and jurisprudence experts.

Those who advocate for the death penalty argue that the fear of death is man's greatest fear, and those who know they will face such a consequence are less likely to commit crimes. However, others contend that hardened criminals will not be deterred by the fear of death due to their criminal acts. They argue that the knowledge of a predetermined death penalty could make such criminals more brutal.

The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) Comptroller-General, Sylvester Nwakuche, reported that there are currently 3,688 death row inmates in Nigeria. He attributes the prison overcrowding to the reluctance of state governors to execute death row inmates or commute their sentences to life imprisonment. This delay in executing death sentences not only violates international treaties and documents but also subjects the inmates to prolonged solitude, which is detrimental to their mental health.

The situation is further complicated by the fact that some of these condemned individuals have spent decades waiting for their death sentences to be carried out. Excuses for the delay include a shortage of hangmen and the lack of will on the part of state governors. However, our state governors must view this as a serious challenge that requires urgent and delicate action. They have the option of using their prerogative of mercy to commute death sentences to life imprisonment for these individuals.

Nigeria joins 28 other African countries in advocating for the abolition of the death penalty from their statutes, marking a significant step towards human rights and dignity.