House of Assembly reverses death penalty for kidnappers

dimeji akinloye

July 1, 2016 8:02 AM

The State House of Assembly in Asaba reconsidered its initial stand after the state Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa appealed for a fairer punishment.

A picture of the Governor of Delta State, Ifeanyi Okowa.

The State House of Assembly in Asaba reconsidered its initial stand after the state Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa appealed for a fairer punishment.

Okowa in a letter to the House appealed for reconsideration of Section 4, Sub-Section 1 of the Delta State Anti-Kidnapping Law, 2016, which made provision for death penalty for anybody convicted of kidnapping.

“The Right Honourable Speaker and Honourable Members of the House are aware that death penalty is globally no longer fashionable as it breaches human right to life and torture, both of which are protected under the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, adopted by the United Nations in 1948. Besides, there is heightened campaign and overwhelming support for the abolition of death penalty globally,” Okowa in the letter.

“Since the world is a global village, Delta State cannot be an exception, hence the passionate call to the House to reconsider the Section under reference and change the death sentence prescribed therein to life imprisonment."

READ: Okowa allegedly using state funds to boost Ibori’s business

According to the amendment, the life imprisonment is without an option of fine.

dimeji akinloye