About 1,979 Persons Now on Death Row in Nigerian Prisons, Says Lawyers Without Borders
A human rights advocacy group, Avocats Sans Frontières France, also known as Lawyers Without Borders France, has revealed that about 1,979 persons are currently on death row in Nigerian prisons, with 527 death sentences handed down in the year 2016 alone, and three persons executed in Edo State.
The group in a statement issued last week to mark the 15th anniversary of the World Day against the Death Penalty, stated that the record of free legal services provided to persons facing the death penalty in 8 targeted states in Nigeria since 2011, reveals that most individuals on death row are from disadvantaged groups.
According to the statement signed by Angela Uwandu, Country Head of the group, the theme for this year’s celebration, focuses on Poverty and the Death Penalty, which are very relevant for the Nigerian society.
The group noted that, equality before the law, which is a crucial principle of justice that must be ensured by all jurisdictions, is far from the reality in Nigeria’s criminal justice system.
“In a country where the socio-economic status of an individual, determines his treatment by the criminal justice system, only a privileged group of citizens has an access to fair justice.
The group called on the Nigerian Government, to put in place an official moratorium on the death penalty, and to avoid further expansion in the scope of the death penalty in Nigeria, pending abolition.
It also urged the Government, to take immediate and necessary steps to overhaul the criminal justice system, with a view to eradicate corruption and ensuring justice for all.
“Equality before the law, is a crucial principle of justice that must be ensured by all jurisdictions; but this is far from the reality in Nigeria’s criminal justice system. In a country where the socio-economic status of an individual determines his treatment by the criminal justice system, only a privileged group of citizens has an access to fair justice.
“Economically disadvantaged population, cannot afford the services of lawyers of their choice or sufficiently experienced lawyers to defend them in courts. Therefore, they are often represented by lawyers who lack the requisite training and expertise in handling capital cases.
“Although the right for appeal in Death Penalty Cases, are fundamental according to the Nigerian Constitution, most persons who have been sentenced to death, are unable to challenge their convictions on appeal due to the exorbitant costs of appeals at both the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court systems.
“The death penalty, is discriminatory and is used disproportionately against the poor. Legislations prescribing the death penalty, will ultimately put the economically disadvantaged population at higher risk of death penalty. The death penalty is not a deterrent, and is not a solution for crimes like kidnapping, as is wrongly assumed by several State legislatures.
“Avocats Sans Frontières France, uses this opportunity to call on the Nigerian Government to put in place an official moratorium on the death penalty, and to avoid further expansion in the scope of the death penalty in Nigeria, pending abolition.
“We also call on the Government, to take immediate and necessary steps, to overhaul the criminal justice system, with a view to eradicate corruption and ensuring justice for all”, the group stated.