Residents and stakeholders across Kogi, Niger, and Nasarawa States have urged state governors to sign death warrants for inmates on death row, citing the need to uphold justice and ease congestion in correctional centres. Others, however, are calling for the outright abolition of the death penalty or constitutional reforms to remove governors from the execution process altogether.
In interviews conducted as part of a national survey, legal practitioners, rights activists, civil society members, and correctional officials expressed divergent views on the controversial issue. Some argued that failure to enforce capital punishment emboldens criminal activity, while others said the refusal reflects a deeper moral and humanitarian stance.
Kogi-based lawyer Taiye Alabi and security analyst Dr. Abdullahi Jabi called for constitutional amendments to relieve governors of the responsibility, arguing that political considerations often cloud such decisions. Jabi proposed creating a special body solely responsible for executing court-sanctioned death sentences.
Supporters of the death penalty, like legal expert Adegboyega Kolade, said the reluctance to carry out executions undermines justice and contributes to rising violent crimes. “The fear of punishment deters crime. When criminals believe they’ll eventually be pardoned, they’re more likely to commit heinous acts,” Kolade stated.
However, others, including Idris Miliki of Conscience for Human Rights and Conflicts Resolutions, called for abolition of capital punishment altogether. “Killing offenders has not stopped robbery or murder. Reform and rehabilitation are more effective long-term solutions,” he said.
Human rights advocates like Hamza Lawal acknowledged the practical challenge of overcrowded correctional facilities with over 3,000 inmates reportedly on death row but stressed that appeals must run their full course before executions can be considered.
A correctional official in Kogi, speaking anonymously, said governors’ reluctance stems from respect for human life and belief in reform. “We’ve seen inmates transformed into skilled individuals or scholars. Execution ends potential redemption,” he said, citing access to education and vocational training within correctional centres.
In Niger, controversy followed Governor Umar Bago’s recent pardon of convicted killers, sparking outrage from victims’ families. Critics said such decisions undermine justice and inflame social tensions.
Legal minds such as Mohammed Abdulkadir Lapai and Adejo Isah advocated for a rehabilitative model, arguing that inmates could contribute meaningfully to society if reformed, especially through skills training and work programs.
Meanwhile, some stakeholders in Nasarawa noted that governors act based on the recommendations of mercy committees and are not obligated to sign death warrants. “It’s not automatic,” said lawyer Pius Audu. “The law gives governors discretion based on the convict’s appeal rights and case review.”
As the debate continues, calls are growing for a national policy rethink either to streamline the death warrant process, transfer the authority away from governors, or abolish capital punishment in favour of restorative justice models.
