Capital punishment abolition back in the spotlight, Nigeria urged to emulate Ghana
By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
Report that more than 3,000 Nigerians are on death row has galvanised members of the international community to again press the country to abolish capital punishment.
They argued death penalty does not stop crime, can lead to the execution of an innocent person, and pressed Abuja to review the policy.
The pitch was made at the screening of Shepherds and Butchers hosted in Abuja by Avocats Sans Frontières France (ASF France), with support from the French Embassy and the Australian High Commission in Nigeria.
The screening was held in commemoration of the 2023 World Day Against the Death Penalty.
Lean Johnston, Australian High Commission Charge D’ affairs, confirmed Australia abolished the death penalty in 1968, describing capital punishment as state violence against its own citizens.
“To be honest, to us, it is inhumane. So, it’s very important for us to work with other governments to put an end to this cruel treatment,” he said.
“Death penalty does diminish human dignity. When you take the life of someone else, whether it’s done as a criminal act, or whether it’s done by the state, it does diminish human dignity.”
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Nigeria urged to emulate Ghana
ASF France Nigeria Country Director Angela Uzoma-Iwuchukwu disclosed more than 3,000 Nigerians are on death row in the country but stressed the number is not exact, according to The Guardian.
She advising the Nigerian government to emulate Ghana by abolishing capital punishment and urged implementation of alternatives by placing official moratorium on executions while working towards abolition of the death penalty.
French Ambassador Emmanuelle Blatmann also sought official moratorium on executions as France considers capital punish as unfair, inhumane, and irreparable.
Shedding the blood of another human cannot amend a crime already committed, she stressed.
Deji Ajare, Sterling Law Centre Executive Director, described the death penalty as a violation of inherent right to life, constituting cruel, inhumane, and degrading treatment.
“It is our steadfast position that no judicial system should have the power to take a life, even in response to heinous crimes,” he said in a statement.
