The National Assembly is set to review Nigeria’s stance on the death penalty as part of broader reforms in the country’s criminal justice system, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, has revealed.
Kalu made this known on Thursday during a courtesy visit by a delegation from the Death Penalty Project and officials from the British High Commission in Abuja. He emphasized the need for national dialogue on whether capital punishment should be abolished.
“Internationally, there is a growing trend toward the abolition of the death penalty, with over 130 countries having abolished it in law or practice,” Kalu said, citing a global shift towards rehabilitation over punitive measures.
Although Nigeria has maintained a voluntary moratorium on executions since 2014, capital punishment remains legal for crimes such as murder, armed robbery, and treason. Meanwhile, several African nations, including Rwanda, Chad, and Sierra Leone, have abolished the practice in recent years.
Kalu pointed out that Nigeria abstained from a December 2024 UN vote on a global moratorium on executions, even as 48 out of 55 African Union countries have moved away from capital punishment.
While there is currently no legislation before the 10th House of Representatives seeking to abolish the death penalty, Kalu affirmed that the Green Chamber is open to starting discussions on the matter.
“Our goal is not to downplay the gravity of capital offences but to build a justice system that is fair, effective, and aligned with human rights principles,” he stated.
The review comes amid increasing calls for Nigeria to modernize its legal framework in line with international standards, sparking fresh debates on justice and human rights.