Capital punishment in Nigeria

Capital punishment, also called the death penalty is a controversial issue in Nigeria, although it is a form of constitutional punishment in the country.[1] This method of punishment which include hanging, shooting and stoning is carried out on crimes ranging from murder, terrorism-related offenses, rape, robbery, kidnapping, same-sex marriage, treason, and mutiny. Since 2006, Nigeria had not carried out an execution until in 2013 when four prisoners who were in death row were executed.[2] In a 2014 research made by Amnesty International, about 697 people were sentenced to death by firing squad or by hanging.[3] On 17 December 2014, about 54 Nigerian soldiers were sentenced to death by firing squad after they were found guilty of mutiny.[4]

Criticism

The use of death penalty in Nigeria has generated mixed opinions among people in the society.[5] Some people find this form of punishment as a tool which violates the human rights to live which is considered as a fundamental human right.[6] Public activists also see this type of punishment as a tool meant to discrimate the masses.[7]

In recent years, there have been protests and calls from reputable organizations including the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) for the abolition of capital punishment in the country.[8] In October 2014, former Governor of Delta State Emmanuel Uduaghan pardoned three inmates who were on death row following the recommendations by the State Advisory Council on Prerogative of Mercy.[9]

See also

Further reading

References

  1. ↑ Ayodeji Adeyemi (4 December 2013). "Waiting endlessly on Nigeria's death row". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 11 August 2015.
  2. ↑ "The Death Penalty in Nigeria". Death Penalty Worldwide. 19 June 2014. Retrieved 11 August 2015.
  3. ↑ "Document, Amnesty International". Amnesty International. Retrieved 11 August 2015.
  4. ↑ "Nigerian soldiers given death penalty for mutiny". BBC News. 17 December 2014. Retrieved 11 August 2015.
  5. ↑ "Dons disagree on abolition of death penalty in Nigeria". Premium Times. Retrieved 11 August 2015.
  6. ↑ "FACING THE HANGMAN’S NOOSE: ANY RIGHT UNDER NIGERIAN LAW?". The Lawyer's Chronicle. Retrieved 11 August 2015.
  7. ↑ Ludovica Iaccino (18 June 2015). "Nigeria: Protesters storm National Assembly demanding capital punishment for corruption charges". International Business Times. Retrieved 11 August 2015.
  8. ↑ Ikenna Emewu (15 March 2014). "ECOWAS court stops death penalty in Nigeria". The Sun. Retrieved 11 August 2015.
  9. ↑ "Uduaghan Pardons 77-year-old On Death Row". Information Nigeria. 7 October 2014. Retrieved 11 August 2015.

Further reading

External links

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