The House of Representatives is open to discussions on whether Nigeria should abolish the death penalty, Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu has said.
Kalu made this known during a meeting with a delegation from the Death Penalty Project and officials of the British High Commission in Abuja on Thursday.
He noted that while Nigeria has maintained a moratorium on executions since 2014, the death penalty remains legal for crimes such as murder, armed robbery, and treason.
He also pointed out that over 130 countries around the world have abolished the death penalty either in law or in practice.
According to him, the laws in the country take into consideration the context of the environment, adding that the current legal framework allows for capital punishment for offences such as murder, armed robbery, and treason.
Kalu referred to the current statistics of death row inmates in the country and worldwide, saying that the figures underscore the pressing need for reform in the criminal justice system.
He disclosed that the Constitution Review Committee, which he chairs, has thoroughly examined the implications of the death penalty, considering not only the moral and ethical dimensions but also its practical effects on Nigerian society.
A statement issued on Friday by the Special Assistant to the Deputy Speaker on Print Affairs, Udora Orizu, quoted Kalu as saying:
“Internationally, there is a growing trend towards the abolition of the death penalty, with over 130 countries having abolished it in law or in practice.
“This shift reflects a global understanding that justice must incorporate rehabilitation and restorative practices, rather than solely punitive measures. In November 2024, the UN General Assembly’s Third Committee approved a resolution for a global moratorium on executions, aiming for full abolition. This was adopted on 17 December 2024, marking the tenth resolution since 2007 advocating for a moratorium, with support increasing from 104 states in 2007 to 130 in 2024, while opposition has declined.
“Notably, Nigeria abstained from the recent vote, among 22 abstaining states. This trend indicates a strong movement towards the universal abolition of the death penalty. Within the African Union, 48 of 55 countries are now abolitionist in law or practice, with only Egypt and Somalia carrying out executions in 2023.
“The African continent is advancing towards the abolition of the death penalty more rapidly than any other region, with six countries having eliminated the death penalty for all crimes or ordinary crimes in just the past four years (since July 2021).”
While noting that there is no proposed legislation before the 10th House on the subject, Kalu expressed the readiness of the Green Chamber to begin deliberations as soon as possible.
“There’s no bill before the House of Representatives at the moment to address this issue, but we intend to have conversations around it. I’m trying to give it a legal framework by presenting it as a bill. We are considering presenting it before parliament for debate, to determine whether or not it is what our society needs at the moment.
“It will pass through various stages of public hearing to allow the public to contribute to this subject matter. We are confident that our willingness to engage further in this discussion will send a clear message that we are committed to upholding human rights and ensuring that our criminal justice system reflects fairness and proportionality,” he stated.
The Deputy Speaker, however, noted that as further discussions are held, the goal is not to diminish the seriousness of capital offences, but to create a justice system that is equitable, effective, and respectful of human rights.
Kalu added: “We owe it to our citizens to ensure that their rights are protected and that our laws reflect the highest standards of justice. I urge you all to support us as we take significant steps towards reforming our criminal justice system to create a Nigeria that embodies fairness, respect for human rights, and a commitment to justice for all.”
Earlier, the leader of the delegation, Saul Lehrfreund, Co-founder and Co-Executive Director of The Death Penalty Project, said his team was in Nigeria to seek the collaboration of the National Assembly for the potential abolition of capital punishment.
He said: “We’ve seen great progress. Zimbabwe abolished the death penalty on New Year’s Eve. I had the pleasure of being here last August at the invitation of the British High Commission. It will be helpful to have a conversation about the death penalty in Nigeria.
“It will be helpful to bring partners together to discuss the potential abolishment, to see if we can change the discussion around the death penalty. We want to bring our experience and discuss with you the possibility of how the Constitution can be amended and anything we can do to provide technical support.”
The death penalty, also known as capital punishment, has been abolished in some African countries, including Rwanda (2007), Burundi (2009), Togo (2009), Gabon (2010), Benin Republic (2012), Chad (2020), and Sierra Leone (2021), among others.
