Nigeria’s House of Representatives is open to discussing the abolition of the death penalty, according to Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu. This announcement comes amid a global trend towards abolishing capital punishment, with over 130 countries having already done so.
Kalu made this statement during a meeting with representatives from the Death Penalty Project and the British High Commission in Abuja. He noted that while Nigeria has not carried out any executions since 2014, the death penalty remains legal for crimes such as murder, armed robbery, and treason.
The Deputy Speaker emphasized the need for reform in the criminal justice system, citing the current statistics of death row inmates in Nigeria and worldwide. He also highlighted that the Constitution Review Committee, which he chairs, has examined the implications of the death penalty, considering its moral, ethical, and practical effects on Nigerian society.
Kalu stressed that the goal of these discussions is not to diminish the seriousness of capital offenses but to create a justice system that is equitable, effective, and respectful of human rights. This move towards potential abolition is part of a broader trend in Africa, where countries such as Rwanda, Burundi, and Sierra Leone have already abolished the death penalty.
