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50
NIGERIA
‘WAITING FOR THE HANGMAN’
possibly more. 178 Amnesty International and LEDAP fear more prisoners may have been
executed following flawed processes. Between May 1999 and April 2008, at least 410 people
were sentenced to death.
Politicians appear reluctant to take responsibility for this loss of life at the hands of the state.
In interviews with Amnesty International and LEDAP, the federal authorities passed the buck
to the state authorities and vice versa. While in private some state officials say they do not
support capital punishment and that their governors refrain from signing death warrants, few
politicians support the abolition of the death penalty in public. In interviews conducted by
Amnesty International and LEDAP, it was clear that few politicians wished to be associated
with a pro-abolition position, for fear of unpopularity with an electorate that erroneously
believes that executions address the problem of crime.
In recent years, the debate around capital punishment in Nigeria has focused on the high
crime rate and the religious justifications for execution. The debate has taken place despite
the evidence that retention of the death penalty has not reduced armed robbery and murder
rates. Between 1970 and 1999, more than 2,600 death row prisoners were executed, but the
crime rate did not decrease. Moreover, the death penalty is used as a distraction from the real
issue: addressing the underlying factors that lead to violent crime. Judicial killings brutalize
society and violate the right to life. Moreover, they risk the execution of the innocent.
Short of an act of war, the taking of a human life is possibly the most violent act a government
can undertake. Execution after a criminal justice process that is flawed and unfair is a violation
of the right to life. It is therefore unacceptable for the Nigerian federal and state authorities to
continue to ignore the recommendations of their own study groups, Nigerian NGOs, and other
international organizations. The Nigerian authorities must urgently reconsider their stand on
judicial executions.
By declaring a moratorium on executions, the Federal Government of Nigeria would show
clear leadership on this issue. A moratorium requires a commitment by the Nigerian
authorities not to carry out executions, regardless of whether death sentences continue to be
passed. It would eliminate the risk of executing the innocent and prisoners who have not yet
had their sentence confirmed by the Supreme Court.
Once a moratorium is in place, the Nigerian government should follow the example of the
majority of the world’s nations and take steps to abolish the death penalty. If a vigorous
public education campaign doesn’t explain why the death penalty is never justifiable, there
will always be opposition to ending capital punishment, but this should not stop political
leaders from doing what is right. Politicians will need to develop a comprehensive approach
to crime and explain how the crime situation will be addressed. Advocating executions
provides a soundbite answer to a complicated question. Use of the death penalty gives the
authorities the appearance of taking decisive and strong action against criminality but that
is all it is, an appearance. Public opinion cannot be used as a justification for the violation
of human rights.
Amnesty International October 2008 Index: AFR 44/020/2008