TIP hosted a Twitter space to launch its survey on public perception of the use of death and discuss the criminal justice system in Nigeria.
TIP’s team presented the findings of its survey conducted to examine what the public thinks of the use of the death penalty in Nigeria. Moderated by Bridget Andrew, TIP’s Legal officer, panelist Collins Okeke, Hurrilaws, and Williams Adeegbe, Duty Solicitor Network answered questions on the feedback from the survey. Adeegbe emphasized the need to reduce the rate of crimes in Nigeria by closing the inequality gap between the rich and the poor. Okeke advised that a State does not have to kill to incapacitate an offender since human beings can’t create life. They agreed that there is a need for massive policy changes in Nigeria to align with the current realities on issues of criminal justice administration. Finally, they concluded that Nigerian Courts have held that some modes of execution amount to cruel, inhumane, and degrading treatment, which amounts to a violation of human rights- that Nigeria should remove capital punishment from its laws. A country that cannot give justice cannot take life!
Participants in the space also shared their experiences and opinions, which aligns with the survey findings that the death penalty was not the best punishment for capital offenders in Nigeria.
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