Protocol
1. I am delighted and humbled to deliver the opening remarks on this important occasion that reflects our shared commitment to protecting human rights, the rule of law, and the dignity of all persons. On behalf of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), I wish to express my commendation to the National Human Rights Commission, Avocats Sans Frontières France, and the Legal Defence and Assistance Project (LEDAP) for organising this high-level technical consultation to commemorate the World Day Against the Death Penalty.
2. The World Day Against the Death Penalty, observed annually on the 10th of October, serves as a powerful reminder of the global movement to challenge the use of capital punishment. It is a day that calls us to reflect on the death penalty, not only from a legal perspective but also from a moral, ethical, and human rights viewpoint.
It is also an occasion to consider whether the death penalty truly delivers the justice it promises or whether it perpetuates harm and injustice. As Nelson Mandela once wisely said, “To deny people their human rights is to challenge their very humanity.” The death penalty, in its ultimate finality, not only denies the right to life but also often reflects the failures of our justice system to protect the most vulnerable among us.
3. In many parts of the world, there is a growing consensus that the death penalty is an outdated and ineffective form of punishment. Over 140 countries have abolished the death penalty or introduced moratoriums on its use. This is a testament to the global recognition of the inherent value of human life and the belief that the justice system must reflect a higher standard of humanity and dignity.
The United Nations General Assembly has passed multiple resolutions urging member states to move towards a moratorium on the death penalty, with the ultimate goal of abolition. This global trend aligns with the understanding that the right to life is the foundation of all human rights, and no justice system should take that right away without grave and careful consideration.
4. In Nigeria, the death penalty remains a legal punishment, and executions are still carried out for various crimes, including armed robbery, terrorism, and murder. While it is understandable that the state must protect its citizens and maintain law and order, we must carefully consider the impact of the death penalty on broader society, as well as the risks it poses to justice itself.
5. We cannot ignore the troubling realities of wrongful convictions, the potential for judicial error, and the disproportionately high number of people from vulnerable and marginalised communities who are on death row. The death penalty in such cases becomes not just a punishment for the crime but a reflection of the failures of our criminal justice system to provide a fair and equitable process for all. As members of the legal profession and human rights community, we must ask difficult questions.
Does the death penalty truly deter crime? Is it administered fairly, without prejudice or discrimination? And most importantly, are there more humane and effective ways to deliver justice and protect society without resorting to the taking of life?
6. The Nigerian Bar Association has consistently been at the forefront of promoting access to justice, the rule of law, and respect for human rights. We believe that a justice system that upholds the rights of every individual is the foundation of a peaceful and progressive society. As Mahatma Gandhi once said, “An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind.”
The NBA remains committed to working closely with our partners in government, civil society, and the international community to advocate for reforms in our criminal justice system, particularly in areas that involve the death penalty.
7. Today, as we gather to discuss the legal, ethical, and practical implications of capital punishment, I want to assure you that the NBA will continue to push for reforms that promote fair trials and humane sentencing.
We will also support efforts to review existing death row cases to ensure that justice has truly been served. This consultation provides us with an opportunity to examine both the prospects and challenges of abolishing the death penalty in Nigeria. I encourage all participants—government officials, members of the judiciary, legal practitioners, and civil society representatives—to engage in open and honest dialogue about the future of capital punishment in our country.
We must take a critical look at the socio-economic and legal factors that contribute to the imposition of the death penalty, and how reforms can be introduced to address these issues. In doing so, we can create a more just, humane, and effective criminal justice system that truly reflects the values of fairness and equity.
8. The NBA Citizens Liberties Committee, in collaboration with the NBA Human Rights Committee, is always on standby to provide pro bono services to individuals who are at risk of being sentenced to death or who may have been wrongfully convicted. We believe that the justice system must serve the public interest and protect the rights of all citizens, especially the most vulnerable among us.
9. As we commemorate the World Day Against the Death Penalty, let us reaffirm our commitment to justice, human rights, and the dignity of every individual. The path toward the abolition of the death penalty in Nigeria may be a long and challenging one, but it is a path that we must walk together, guided by the principles of fairness, equality, and humanity.
Once again, I commend the National Human Rights Commission, Avocats Sans Frontières France, and LEDAP for organising this timely and crucial consultation. I look forward to the discussions and recommendations that will emerge from today’s deliberations.
Thank you, and may we continue to strive for a justice system that reflects the best of our shared values.
MAZI AFAM OSIGWE, SAN
PRESIDENT, NIGERIAN BAR ASSOCIATIONS
