Deputy Speaker seeks abolition of death penalty in Nigeria

Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, has called for a review of the country’s death penalty law, advocating for a more equitable, effective, and human-rights-respecting justice system. Kalu revealed that he has sponsored a bill to amend the 1999 Constitution with the goal of abolishing the death penalty. He noted that opposition to its removal is gradually decreasing, highlighting the importance of aligning the country’s legal framework with international standards.
Kalu made the remarks while meeting with a delegation from the Death Penalty Project, led by officials from the British High Commission in Abuja. He emphasized that while discussions continue, the intention is not to undermine the gravity of capital offenses but to ensure a justice system that is fair, efficient, and mindful of human rights.
According to him: “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 towards creating a Nigeria that embodies fairness, respect for human rights, and a commitment to justice for all”.
The Deputy Speaker noted that the death penalty has long been a contentious issue in Nigeria, sparking debate across various sectors of society. He pointed out the growing global trend toward abolishing the death penalty, with over 130 countries having removed it from law or practice.
He explained that over time, Nigeria’s laws have reflected the prevailing societal context, with the current legal framework permitting capital punishment for crimes such as murder, armed robbery, and treason. However, he emphasized that the significant number of inmates on death row highlights the urgent need for reform in the country’s criminal justice system.
Kalu further stated that the Constitution Review Committee has carefully considered the implications of the death penalty, weighing not only its moral and ethical aspects but also its practical impact on society.
Kalu added: “The Constitution Review Committee has thoroughly examined the implications of the death penalty, considering not only the moral and ethical dimensions but also its practical effects on society.There is now a proposed bill to alter the Constitution of the Federal Republic, 1999 (as amended).
“The bill aims to amend Section 33 (1) of our Constitution by deleting the second part of the subsection which legitimizes the deprivation of life by the State and enshrines and retains the early part of the subsection which provides as follows:“Every person has a right to life, and no one shall be deprived intentionally of his life”. The amendment will effectively delete the second part of the subsection that states “…save in execution of the sentence of a court in respect of a criminal offence of which he has been found guilty.
“This amendment which I am sponsoring will align with international best practices. Internationally, there is a growing trend toward the abolition of the death penalty, with over 130 countries having abolished it in law or 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, which was adopted on December 17, 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 for ordinary crimes in just the past four years (since July 2021).
“We are willing to collaborate with you and have further engagements as we know that aligning our laws with international best practices enhances Nigeria’s reputation on the global stage. We are positive that our willingness to engage further on 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.”
Saul LeurFeund, the leader of the delegation and Co-founder/Co-Executive Director of the Death Penalty Project, told the Deputy Speaker that their visit aimed to explore potential collaboration with the Nigerian Parliament on the abolition of the death penalty.
He shared, “We’ve been working across this continent for about 30 years and have seen significant progress. For instance, Zimbabwe abolished the death penalty on New Year’s Eve. I also had the privilege of visiting last August at the invitation of the British High Commission. It would be valuable to engage in discussions about the death penalty here in Nigeria.”
“It will be helpful to bring partners together to discuss potential abolishment, to see if we can change discussion around death penalty. So we want to bring our experience and to discuss with you, the possibility on how the Constitution can be amended and anything we can do to provide technical support.”