Death Penalty In Nigeria: To Be Or Not To Be: The Controversy Continues

The death penalty has become an engine of controversy in Nigeria like some other countries of the world, with some groups calling for the abolition of the death penalty as a means of punishment for some capital offences like murder, armed robbery, treason et cetera, while other groups are in favour of the use of the death penalty for the same purpose. While the opponents of the death penalty argue that the death penalty is a violation of Human rights, the proponents of it argue that the deterrent effect of the imposition of the death penalty cannot be over-emphasized. This article would look at the history of death penalty in Nigeria, arguments for and against its application and concludes by re-affirming the need for the continued retention of the death penalty in the Nigerian Statute books. It recommends that good governance is a key to the reduction of crimes in the society.