Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, has announced that the National Assembly is prepared to initiate discussions on the potential abolition of the death penalty within Nigeria’s criminal justice system.
Kalu’s remarks came during a courtesy visit from a delegation representing the Death Penalty Project, accompanied by officials from the British High Commission, at his office in Abuja on Thursday.
He emphasized the importance of public engagement in shaping decisions on this sensitive issue, noting that over 130 countries have already abolished capital punishment either through legislation or in practice.
While Nigeria has maintained a moratorium on executions since 2014, the death penalty remains legally sanctioned for crimes such as murder, armed robbery, and treason.
Kalu, who chairs the Constitution Review Committee, stated that the committee has been assessing the broader implications of the death penalty, considering its moral, ethical, and practical impact on Nigerian society.
“In recent years, there has been a significant global shift towards abolishing the death penalty, with more countries adopting justice systems that focus on rehabilitation and restorative practices rather than punitive measures,” Kalu said in a statement released on Friday by his Special Assistant on Print Affairs, Udora Orizu.
Kalu referenced the United Nations General Assembly’s Third Committee resolution in November 2024, which called for a global moratorium on executions with the goal of complete abolition.
This resolution, formally adopted on December 17, 2024, marked the tenth since 2007, showing increased support from 104 countries in 2007 to 130 in 2024. Notably, Nigeria was among 22 nations that abstained from the recent vote.
Within the African Union, 48 of 55 member states have abolished the death penalty either by law or in practice, with only Egypt and Somalia carrying out executions in 2023.
Although no formal bill addressing the abolition of the death penalty is currently before the 10th House, Kalu affirmed the legislature’s readiness to commence deliberations soon.
He stressed that any reforms would not undermine the gravity of capital offences but aim to establish a justice system that upholds fairness, efficiency, and respect for human rights.