To Commemorate World Day against the death penalty, TIP organized a survey to gain people’s perspectives on the use of the death penalty in Nigeria. It received 1055 responses from various professionals, artisans, and students across Nigeria above the age of 18 years.
The report noted that the majority still oppose the death penalty in Nigeria. For example, 76% of the respondents opposed the use of the death penalty in Nigeria as the best form of capital punishment. 80% did not trust the judicial system to give justice, while 68% did not believe the death penalty could stop people from committing crimes in Nigeria. Additionally, 81% agreed that life imprisonment or terms of years should replace the death penalty, and 81% believe that there’s a high chance that an innocent person could be wrongly convicted.
Respondents listed reasons they believe Nigeria’s judiciary can convict an innocent person, including a corrupt judicial system, poor investigations, lack of integrity, possibility of errors, mistaken identity, forceful confessions, and more. CLICK HERE to read the full report of the survey.
TIP advocates for the abolition of the death penalty in Nigeria. The use has not deterred people from committing crimes and the likelihood of wrongful convictions. Nigeria should join other countries across the globe to abolish the death penalty and take its place as the giant of Africa, as other African countries are abolishing the death penalty. TIP opposes the use of the death penalty in all cases and at all times.