State governors won’t sign death warrants although it is a legally backed action in Nigeria. According to the Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, this will increase prison congestion.
Announcing his plan to commence the approval of death warrants, Mohammed said the prosecution and conviction of the people are the sole responsibility of the chief judge.
Mohammed said this on Friday in Bauchi while signing the Violence against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) bill and a bill for the establishment of the Bauchi state penal code into law.
“We will soon be signing some death sentences because there are many and because of justice which has to be taken to a logical conclusion,” NAN quoted the governor as saying.
“I know some governors are running away from signing the death sentences because they exercise restraints on the basis that there may be some element of error.
“But to me, I will leave it to my lord (the chief judge) who will prosecute. It’s not my fault. If it is brought to my attention, I will do it.”
“As for the Violence against Persons Prohibition Act, we know that we are the first in the northern part of the country to enact the law, which is a member’s bill incidentally from the honourable speaker, and it has earned us a lot of respect in the country.
“But because of some noticed gaps, it was taken back and it was corrected. We thank the house for making the corrections.”
In Nigeria, state governors are legally backed to sign the death warrants but since 2012, no governor has been reported to have signed death warrants.
- Breaking: Ohanaeze President General, George Obiozor, confirmed dead - December 28, 2022
- US to support NDLEA on improved intelligence gathering capacity - December 27, 2022
- Why diversified HIV/AIDS prevention tools matter for women - December 26, 2022
