The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) has revealed that governors have refrained from signing death warrants for inmates on death row, leading to a halt in executions across custodial centres.
According to NCoS spokesperson Abubakar Umar, the last execution occurred in 2016 in Edo State by former governor Adam Oshiomole.
Umar stated that as of April 15, 2024, there were 3,504 inmates on death row, including 73 females and 3,431 males. He noted that due to advocacy from human rights groups, there’s currently a moratorium on death sentences in Nigeria.
He emphasized the global campaign for the abolishment of death sentences and highlighted rehabilitation programs for inmates, including education and skill empowerment.
Umar said, “The last execution was in 2016 in Edo State by the former governor, Adam Oshiomole.
“The issue of the execution of death sentences is an international issue that is generating a lot of brouhaha. Presently, due to the advocacies of human rights groups and other civil society organisations, there is a moratorium on the execution of death sentences in Nigeria. Human rights groups are campaigning for the abolishment of the execution of death sentences around the world, and Nigeria is not an exception.
“There has been no inmate on death row that has been executed in the last year. However, that does not mean that the execution of death sentences has been expunged from our criminal justice system. It is still there in our statutes and books, but the executive must sign their death warrants before we can carry out executions, and this is not forthcoming in recent times.
“As of April 15, 2024, we have a total of 3,504 individuals in our facilities nationwide, consisting of 73 females and 3,431 males.
“Just last Saturday, a good number of them graduated from the National Open University of Nigeria as graduates and postgraduate degree holders. Some of them, in the long run, actually change from their old ways and become well-behaved and industrious. Some of them who fall into this category are recommended by us for clemency or pardon.”
| Sahara Reporters
