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Abolishing Death Penalty, Nigerians Will Decide – Deputy Speaker

Published

15 minutes ago

January 31, 2025

By Gloria Ikibah

Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Rep. Benjamin Kalu, has said that the decision to abolish death penalty in Nigeria rests with the people.

Kalu who stated this during a visit by officials of the Death Penalty Project and the British High Commission to his office in Abuja on Thursday, stressed the need for open discussions and collaboration among stakeholders, as opinions on the issue vary widely.

He noted that over 130 countries have already abolished the death penalty, either in law or practice. However, in Nigeria, capital punishment is still allowed for crimes such as murder, armed robbery, and treason.

The Deputy Speaker said that the number of death row inmates highlights the need for reforms in the criminal justice system. As chairman of the Constitution Review Committee, he said the committee has been studying the moral, ethical, and practical aspects of the death penalty.

While no bill on the matter is currently before the House, Kalu stated that the committee is considering it, and a proposal could be brought forward soon for debate and public input.

Kalu said, “Internationally, there is a growing trend toward the abolition of the death penalty, with over 130 countries having abolished it in law or practice. This shift reflects a global understanding that justice must incorporate rehabilitation and restorative practices rather than solely punitive measures.

In November 2024, the UN General Assembly’s Third Committee approved a resolution for a global moratorium on executions, aiming for full abolition, which was adopted on December 17, 2024, marking the tenth resolution since 2007 advocating for a moratorium, with support increasing from 104 states in 2007 to 130 in 2024, while opposition has declined. Notably, Nigeria abstained from the recent vote among 22 abstaining states. This trend indicates a strong movement towards the universal abolition of the death penalty. Within the African Union, 48 of 55 countries are now abolitionist in law or practice, with only Egypt and Somalia carrying out executions in 2023.

“The African continent is advancing towards the abolition of the death penalty more rapidly than any other region, with six countries having eliminated the death penalty for all crimes or for ordinary crimes in just the past four years (since July 2021).

We are willing to collaborate with you and have further engagements as we know that aligning our laws with international best practices enhances Nigeria’s reputation on the global stage.

“There’s no bill before the House of Representatives at the moment to address this issue as we speak, but there’s an intention for us to have conversations around it. I’m trying to give it legal framework by presenting it as a bill. We are considering presenting it before the parliament for debate, for us to know whether or not is what our society needs at the moment. It will pass through various stages of public hearing to allow the public make contribution on this subject matter. We are positive that our willingness to engage further on this discussion will send a clear message that we are committed to upholding human rights and ensuring that our criminal justice system reflects fairness and proportionality.”

The Deputy Speaker however stated that as further discussions are ongoing, the goal is not to diminish the seriousness of capital offenses but to create a justice system that is equitable, effective, and respectful of human rights.

“We owe it to our citizens to ensure that their rights are protected and that our laws reflect the highest standards of justice. I urge you all to support us as we take significant steps towards reforming our criminal justice system towards creating a Nigeria that embodies fairness, respect for human rights, and a commitment to justice for all,” Kalu added.

Earlier, leader of Delegation and Co-founder/Co-Executive Director of The Death Penalty Project, Saul LeurFeund, said the visit was to seek the collaboration of parliament on the potential abolishment of death penalty in Nigeria.

He said, “We’ve seen great progress, Zimbabwe abolished death penalty on new year’s eve. I had the pleasure of being here last August on the invitation of the British high commission .

“It will be helpful to have conversation around death penalty in Nigeria. It will be helpful to bring partners together to discuss potential abolishment, to see if we can change discussion around death penalty. So we want to bring our experience and to discuss with you, the possibility on how the Constitution can be amended and anything we can do to provide technical support”.

Related Topics:chairman Nigeria Stakeholders States UN

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Sultan declares Friday first day of Sha’aban

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Police Arrest Gang Targeting Bank Customers, Stealing From Cars

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Sultan declares Friday first day of Sha’aban

Published

4 minutes ago

January 31, 2025

Kayode Sanni-Arewa

By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

The Sultanate Council Advisory Committee on Religious Affairs has announced that there were no confirmed reports of the sighting of the crescent moon marking the beginning of Sha’aban 1446AH.

The announcement done in collaboration with the National Moon Sighting Committee, is significant for Muslims in the country being the month that precedes Ramadan.

In a release signed by the Wazirin Sokoto, and Chairman of the Advisory Committee on Religious Affairs, Sultanate Council, Sokoto, Prof. Sambo Wali Junaidu, the committee stated that no moon sighting reports were received from various committees nationwide.

“As a result, Thursday, January 30, 2025, will be observed as the 30th day of Rajab 1446AH.

“His Eminence, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, the Sultan of Sokoto and President-General of the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), has accepted the report and officially declared Friday, January 31, 2025, as the first day of Sha’aban 1446AH.

“The announcement is significant for the Muslim community, as Sha’aban is the month preceding Ramadan, the holiest month in Islam.

“The declaration ensures uniformity in the Islamic calendar, guiding religious observances across Nigeria”, it added.

The Sultanate Council also urged Muslims to follow official announcements regarding Islamic dates and to prepare spiritually for the upcoming month of Ramadan.

News

Police Arrest Gang Targeting Bank Customers, Stealing From Cars

Published

48 minutes ago

January 31, 2025

Naijablitznews

Operatives of the Bauchi State Police Command have nabbed several members of a four-man syndicate that specialises in robbing bank customers.

The syndicate also uses locally fabricated master keys to gain unauthorised access to their victims’ vehicles.

According to a statement issued on Friday by the command’s spokesperson, Ahmed Wakil, the gang targets bank customers across Bauchi, Borno, and Kano states.

The arrested members include Mustapha Bukar, 42; Mustapha Abubakar, 47; and Habibu Tijjani, 30. The fourth member, who is the gang leader, is currently at large.

“The modus operandi of the suspects involves monitoring bank customers who withdraw substantial amounts of money with the intention of robbing them. They utilise locally fabricated master keys, known as ‘Chori,’ to gain unauthorised access to their victims’ vehicles and properties.

“On January 28, 2025, operatives from the State Intelligence Department (SID), acting on credible intelligence, apprehended the syndicate, which specialises in targeting bank customers across Bauchi, Borno, and Kano states. A thorough investigation revealed that on January 27, 2025, at around 5 pm, the suspects observed a 43-year-old businessman (name withheld) leaving FCMB Bank in Bauchi after withdrawing a substantial sum for his business operations.

“The suspects followed him to his residence, positioning their vehicles strategically as they awaited his exit, intending to rob him of his funds. Upon realising he was being followed, the victim contacted his family to open the gate and secure his vehicle. He then informed the police about the suspicious activities, which led to the apprehension of three suspects.

“During the investigation, all apprehended suspects confessed to their involvement and provided crucial information that will aid in the capture of the ringleader, who is still at large,” the statement partly read.

The statement added that items recovered from the suspects included three locally fabricated master keys and two Toyota Honda saloon vehicles.

It also noted that the suspects specifically targeted individuals who had withdrawn money from banks, trailing them to their destinations.

“Once the victims parked their vehicles, the suspects used the fabricated keys to unlawfully access the cars. The suspects indicated that Honda vehicles are particularly susceptible due to weak locking mechanisms.”

The State Commissioner of Police, Auwal Muhammad, urged residents to exercise vigilance when leaving banks, avoid parking in isolated areas, refrain from carrying large sums of money in public, and report any suspicious activities near banks, financial institutions, or residential areas to the police.

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Al-Hikmah University Honours Speaker Abbas with Doctorate in Public Administration

Published

1 hour ago

January 31, 2025

Gloria Ikibah

By Gloria Ikibah

Speaker House of Representatives, Rep. Abbas Tajudeen, has been awarded an honorary doctorate degree in Public Administration by the Al-Hikmah University, Ilorin, Kwara State.

Though the degree was conferred on January 7 during the university’s 14th Convocation Lecture, Speaker Abbas was formally decorated on Thursday in his office by the institution’s founder, Dr Abdulraheem Oladimeji, and the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Noah Yusuf.

Speaker Abbas had earlier delivered the 14th Convocation Lecture on December 30, 2024, titled Beyond Oil: Exploring Alternative Revenue Potentials for Economic Growth and Sustainable Development in Nigeria. His presentation has since attracted widespread commendation from academics and economists globally.

The Al-Hikmah University delegation, led by the Dean of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Prof. Lateef Folorunsho Oladimeji, visited the Speaker’s office to express appreciation and officially present him with his academic regalia.

The Vice-Chancellor noted that Speaker Abbas’ lecture continues to receive international recognition, further cementing his contributions to economic discourse.

“Till today, the lecture has continued to receive positive reactions from the global academic community, relevant stakeholders of the national economy and the public.”

Prof. Yusuf noted that the visit was “mainly to appreciate your distinguished personality for the honour done to our University, in particular and Kwara State, in general, by your physical presence in Ilorin exactly a month ago.”

The Vice-Chancellor said the lecture delivery by Speaker Abbas was “meticulously done to the admiration of the audience,” adding that “the quality of the Convocation Lecture has been adjudged by scholars and researchers alike as rich and first rated.”

He stated: “These records shall be preserved in our university for several years to come.”

The VC presented a proposal for ROUNDTABLE ON BEYOND OIL to Speaker Abbas, and said, “The theme of the 14th Convocation Lecture aptly addressed the current economic situation in our country and future direction.

“Consequently, it throws a serious challenge to all stakeholders in Nigeria project to take the issue further beyond the university campus to the public space through a roundtable which would be anchored by relevant government functionaries, policymakers, experts in Economics and Public Finance as well as academia.”

The Founder of Al-Hikmah University, Dr. Oladimeji, also expressed gratitude to Speaker Abbas for delivering the Convocation Lecture despite not meeting him before.

“If everybody is like you, Nigeria will be better by 100 per cent,” he said.

Responding, the Speaker hailed the founder for establishing a university despite not having higher education.

Speaker Abbas in his response said: “Indeed, today is a day of joy; it is a day of happiness that I have been found worthy by an illustrious and distinguished university like Al-Hikmah, which has a rich history of academic excellence… to have found me worthy of an honorary doctorate in Public Administration. This is something that I appreciate wholeheartedly, and I thank Almighty Allah for giving the university the wisdom to choose me from among millions of Nigerians.

“I want to categorically say, just as I said earlier during the university’s convocation lecture, that this honour has made me one of Al-Hikmah’s stakeholders for life.

“I want to thank my father (varsity’s founder) who has been a pillar of inspiration for many Nigerians. A man who has not been to a university but has been able to build a university that has graduated many professors in different fields. He is one exceptional human being that I know in this country, and I believe that Almighty God will continue to bless him, reward him, exalt him, and make him more prosperous to continue to serve humanity.”