The Attorney-General of the Federation Lateef Fagbemi (SAN) warned that capital punishment would not deter kidnapping and could aggravate Nigeria’s security challenges.
The objections were raised today during a public hearing organized by the Senate Joint Committees on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters; National Security and Intelligence and Interior on a Bill to amend the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act.
The proposed amendment aims to designate kidnapping, hostage-taking and related offences as terrorism and prescribe the death penalty without an option of fine or alternative sentence.
Leading the opposition, the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), warned that capital punishment would not deter kidnapping and could aggravate Nigeria’s security challenges.
Fagbemi cautioned that introducing the death penalty could create a martyrdom effect, particularly in cases linked to extremist ideologies, where executions may be seen as validation rather than punishment.
While we share the National Assembly’s determination to eliminate terrorism and violent crime, we must avoid measures that are emotionally appealing but strategically counterproductive,” he said.The Attorney-General also warned that the proposal could undermine international cooperation, noting that many countries would decline to extradite suspects who face the death penalty, potentially allowing high-profile offenders to evade justice.
He highlighted Nigeria’s long-standing challenges in implementing capital punishment, including governors’ reluctance to sign execution warrants, prison congestion and the risk of radicalization within correctional facilities
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