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NASS To Debate Death Penalty Abolition Amid Global Push

Published

1 month ago

Feb 1, 2025.

Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu says NASS may debate abolishing the death penalty.
Over 130 countries, including 48 African nations, have ended capital punishment.
Nigeria abstained from the UN vote on a global execution moratorium.

The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, has stated that the National Assembly is prepared to open discussions on whether the death penalty should be abolished in Nigeria’s criminal justice system.

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EKO HOT BLOG reports that despite a voluntary moratorium on executions since 2014, capital punishment remains legal in Nigeria. Several African nations, including Rwanda, Burundi, Chad, and Sierra Leone, have abolished the practice in recent years. Kalu’s remarks come as global momentum builds towards ending the death penalty.

During a courtesy visit by a delegation from the Death Penalty Project, accompanied by officials from the British High Commission, Kalu emphasized the importance of public input in deciding the fate of capital punishment. He noted that over 130 countries have abolished it in law or practice, reflecting a shift towards rehabilitation and restorative justice rather than punitive measures.

According to Kalu, Nigeria’s current legal framework still prescribes the death penalty for crimes such as murder, armed robbery, and treason.

He highlighted that the Constitution Review Committee, which he chairs, has examined the ethical and practical implications of capital punishment in Nigerian society.

A statement from the Deputy Speaker’s Special Assistant on Print Affairs, Udora Orizu, quoted Kalu as saying, “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.”

He referenced the United Nations General Assembly’s resolution in December 2024, which called for a global moratorium on executions, with 130 states voting in support—an increase from 104 in 2007. Nigeria, however, abstained from the vote, alongside 21 other nations.

Kalu also noted that within the African Union, 48 out of 55 countries have either abolished the death penalty or do not enforce it, with only Egypt and Somalia carrying out executions in 2023.

Death Penalty Abolition

Although no legislation on the matter is currently before the 10th House, Kalu assured that the Green Chamber is ready to initiate deliberations. He emphasized that any discussions would not seek to diminish the seriousness of capital offenses but rather create a justice system that is fair, effective, and respects human rights.