posted 28th April 2025
Nigerian Governors Reluctant to Sign Death Warrants, Leaving Condemned Inmates in Limbo
Abuja, Nigeria – Since Nigeria’s return to democratic rule in 1999, only two executions have been carried out in the nation’s prisons, now referred to as Correctional Centres, according to Senator Shehu Sani. The former senator highlighted a growing reluctance among state governors to sign execution orders, citing a mix of political, spiritual, and judicial concerns, as well as pressure from human rights groups opposing capital punishment.
In a statement shared on X, Senator Sani explained that many governors adopt a strategy of avoidance, quietly sidestepping or managing cases involving death row inmates until their terms in office end. This hesitation stems from doubts about the fairness of the judicial process, spiritual or moral reservations, or fears of political backlash. Additionally, advocacy from rights groups campaigning against the death penalty has further influenced governors’ decisions.
As a result, the burden of managing condemned inmates falls heavily on prison staff, who must oversee these individuals until their sentences are eventually commuted to life imprisonment. This practice has created a bottleneck in the justice system, with death row inmates languishing in correctional facilities for years, often in legal limbo.
The issue raises broader questions about the application of capital punishment in Nigeria, where the death penalty remains legal but is rarely enforced. Human rights organisations have long called for its abolition, arguing that flaws in the judicial system risk wrongful convictions. Meanwhile, the families of victims and the public remain divided on whether justice is being served.
