By Correspondents in Lafia/Lokoja.
(C) Google.
Stakeholders in Nasarawa State have expressed divergent views on the reluctance of state governors in the state, including the current one, to sign death warrants for individuals convicted of capital offences.
In separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Lafia, the stakeholders reflected on the legal, ethical, and administrative implications of the decision.
While some respondents believe governors have a constitutional obligation to act on death sentences confirmed by the courts, others argue that withholding approval is an exercise of discretion based on moral and humanitarian considerations.
Barrister Pius Audu, a legal practitioner, explained that the governor’s role in signing death warrants is not automatic but guided by recommendations from the Committee on the Prerogative of Mercy.
“It is not mandatory for a governor to sign a death warrant immediately after a court pronounces a death sentence.
“The law provides options, including commuting the sentence to life imprisonment, depending on the recommendation and the governor’s discretion,” he said.
He noted that there are legal safeguards in place to ensure due process, adding that, “A convict has up to 90 days to appeal the sentence, and all legal avenues must be exhausted before any further action is taken.”
According to him, the right to life is guaranteed by the Nigerian Constitution, which underscores the need for thorough procedures in cases involving capital punishment.
Audu also clarified that inmates on death row are not the primary cause of overcrowding in correctional facilities. “Most of the congestion is due to the high number of awaiting trial inmates, not those already sentenced,” he stated.
Mr. Mohammed Abdullahi, a lecturer at Nasarawa State University, Keffi, took a different stance, arguing that governors’ reluctance to enforce final judgments may weaken public confidence in the justice system.
“It could embolden criminal elements and send the wrong signal about the rule of law,” he said.
Abdullahi called for a review of the existing legal framework, suggesting that giving elected officials such discretionary power may lead to decisions influenced by political interests.
Contributing,Hanatu Bala, a representative of a civil society organization, emphasized the complexities involved in signing death warrants.
She urged caution, citing concerns about fair trials and the potential for wrongful convictions.
“This is a weighty decision that should be approached with the utmost care and responsibility. Each case must be assessed thoroughly to ensure that justice is not only done but seen to be done,” she added.
As the debate continues, the issue remains a delicate balance between justice, constitutional responsibility, and human rights.
Some residents of Lokoja who spoke on the issue in an interview with the The Reporters expressed the view that the decision to sign or withhold a death warrant lies at the intersection of legal mandates and moral judgment.
They argued the of governors’reluctance in signing death sentence is one that will continue to generate discourse among legal experts, academics, and civil society advocates in Nasarawa State.
Edited by Dada Ahmed.
