Nigeria: - Bishops protest at return to death penalty - four executions

Archbishop Kaigama

The Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria has issued a statement condemning the execution of four people on 24 June. Mgr Ignatous Ayu Kaigama, President of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria described the hangings in Benin City Edo State as "a return to savagery".

"Just when we believe that Nigeria was on the verge of joining the civilized world in ending the death penalty, we are shocked to hear of the unfortunate execution of four convicted persons in Benin City Edo State," he said.

A moratorium on death penalties had been in force in Nigeria since 2006. This was broken on 24 June. A fifth person was to be executed by firing squad instead but the sentence was postponed because the prison where he is held is not equipped for this type of execution.

The application of capital punishment has been heavily criticized around the world by organizations in defense of human rights.

The authorities reacted to criticism pointing out that the death penalty is still provided for in the Nigerian Constitution. "Using the
Constitution to justify this act is a clear departure from modernity to savagery," said the Bishops' statement.

"We renew all calls for an amendment of the Constitution to proscribe all law that infringe on the rights of individuals especially the right to life."

The document also points out that the capital punishment neither gives the person the opportunity to conform to the norms of the society, nor give opportunity of deterrence of actual and potential criminals from future deeds of violence.

"We believe that the actions aimed at reforming criminals will do better good to the society than capital punishment," the statement concludes.

Globally more and more countries are abandoning the death penalty. In 2012, the top five countries that still execute criminals are: China, Iran, Iraq, Saudi Arabia and the United States.

For more information see Amnesty International's report here: www.amnesty.org.uk/content.asp?CategoryID=78&gclid=CPCt1_ywjrgCFYjLtAodX10Aqg