Former Chief Judge Calls On Governors To Sign Death Sentences To Decongest Nigerian Prisons
Former Chief Judge of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Abuja, Justice Ishaq Usman Bello, has urged governors to sign death warrants for inmates convicted of capital offenses who have exhausted all legal remedies.
Speaking at the Nigeria Human Rights Conference in Enugu, Justice Bello emphasised that the governors’ reluctance to sign death warrants is contributing to the perpetuation of crimes in society.
According to Justice Bello, “There are so many lapses where they have neglected their responsibility as Governors, which makes the society permissive of searching for continuity of crimes.”
He cited his experience as chairman of prison reforms and decongestion, where he encountered numerous inmates on death row due to governors’ hesitation to sign death warrants. Justice Bello argued that signing death warrants is part of the criminal justice system and would help decongest prison facilities.
“By doing so, the prison facilities will be decongested. But refusing to fulfill their constitutional obligations as required by the law, they indirectly encourage the criminals in their atrocities,” he said.
The Nigeria Correctional Service has reported that there are currently 3,590 inmates on death row across the country’s custodial centers, with some governors expressing reluctance to sign death warrants. Justice Bello’s call for governors to sign death warrants aims to address the congestion in prisons and ensure that justice is served.
Justice Bello also criticised comparisons between Nigeria’s justice system and those of the UK and US, highlighting the significant differences in infrastructure and funding. “What investment is made in the judiciary, in the police, among others? Wherever that’s responsibility, there’s a need for funding,” he said.
He emphasised the need for increased investment in the judiciary and police to facilitate speedy justice delivery.