Abuja: Some government officials and experts have explained that convicts on death row in Niger and Kogi remain alive because many cases are still under appeal at either the Court of Appeal or Supreme Court.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, officials highlighted the fear of miscarriage of justice, welfare of citizens, and other considerations as reasons for the high number of convicts on death row. Malam Nasiru Mua’zu, the Niger Commissioner for Justice and Attorney General, noted that a significant percentage of convicted cases are on appeal, with 85 percent of those sentenced to death in Niger currently appealing their cases.
Mua’zu explained that the appeal process is lengthy, often taking between 10 to 20 years, and involves multiple stages, including the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court. He emphasized the importance of caution to prevent executing someone whose case is still on appeal. This caution has resulted in delays in executing death sentences, as most convicts on death row are awaiting the outcomes of their appeals.
Governor Ahmed Ododo of Kogi, speaking through the state’s Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Muiz Yinus-Abdullahi (SAN), expressed concerns about signing death warrants due to potential miscarriages of justice. Ododo pointed out instances where individuals were mistakenly sentenced to death, advocating for prudence in signing death warrants. He mentioned that since 1999, no state governor has signed a death warrant, a practice more common during military rule rather than democratic governance. Ododo highlighted the awkward position of potentially assenting to the death of Kogi citizens, emphasizing the need to ensure their wellbeing despite crimes against the state.
