Capital Punishment in Nigeria

Capital punishment, also referred to as the death sentence, is a subject of great concern in many countries around the globe. Whether it will be effective in dealing with severe crimes or act as a possible deterrent, other ethical issues abound. Nigeria, like many other countries, is facing this dilemma. According to Amnesty International, 55 countries use the death penalty. Nine of these countries had the death penalty only for the most severe crimes, such as multiple killings or war crimes, and 23 had the death penalty but had not used it for ten years.

Before colonisation, Nigeria had a justice system where murder, adultery and witchcraft were punishable by death. British colonial administration in Nigeria introduced a new era of justice with more use of capital punishment. Supporters of capital punishment claim that it is a perfect way to eradicate heinous crimes by taking dangerous individuals out of society for good. The proponents are convinced that ultimate punishment is a deterrent that guarantees public safety and keeps potential offenders from committing atrocities. Proponents often look at examples where capital punishment has helped in controlling criminals.

Deterrence is a complex and controversial subject when assessing if capital punishment is effective. While some researchers have ascribed lower crime rates to death penalties, others attribute it to some other factors more critical in crime deterrence, such as technology. However, research by Amnesty International reveals that the death penalty has no unique deterrent effect on crime. The research cited studies in the United States of America (U.S.A), where states with the death penalty in use recorded higher murder rates than states that did not.

The debate surrounding the ethical implications of capital punishment is complex and thought-provoking. One voiced position is that “a system that cannot give justice should not take life.” Critics contend that Nigeria’s legal system is plagued by deep-rooted issues, such as prejudice, inadequate legal defence, and the possibility of wrongful convictions, which cast doubt on the ethical justifications for the death penalty. Another moral dilemma facing the country is the reluctance of governors to sign death warrants. Despite existing laws allowing for capital punishment, many governors hesitate to carry out these sentences due to ethical concerns and possible miscarriages of justice. As a result, this issue presents a significant moral challenge for Nigeria.

Other nations that have faced similar challenges provide valuable insights into Nigeria’s debate on capital punishment. Countries such as the United States, China, and Iran have dealt with comparable ethical concerns, biases, and human rights concerns, stirring discussions about the abolition or reform of the death penalty. Debates over the death penalty continue in the U.S.A, where a majority of Americans favour the death penalty for convicted murderers. Still, nearly eight in ten see “some risk” of executing the innocent.

Capital punishment in Nigeria is a complex issue that raises significant questions about its role as a solution, a deterrent, and its ethical implications. Factoring the spat of insecurity and various heinous crimes involving the brutal and unimaginable killing of innocent people, the Nigerian government should take necessary actions to review the provisions relating to the death penalty not only to conform with the present world order but also discourage perpetration of heinous crimes in the country. The possibility of prejudice, inadequate legal defence and wrongful convictions warrant a tilt towards exploring alternative punishments for capital offenders.