The Delta State House of Assembly in Asaba on Wednesday, reduced the
punishment for kidnapping from death penalty to life imprisonment in the
state.
The state Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa in a letter to the House appealed for
reconsideration of Section 4, Sub-Section 1 of the Delta State
Anti-Kidnapping Law, 2016 which was passed by the House, which made
provision for death penalty for anybody convicted of kidnapping.Mr. Okowa in his letter said:
“The Right Honourable Speaker and Honourable Members of the House are
aware that death penalty is globally no longer fashionable as it
breaches human right to life and torture, both of which are protected
under the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, adopted by the United
Nations in 1948. Besides, there is heightened campaign and overwhelming
support for the abolition of death penalty globally,” said Mr. Okowa.
“Since the world is a global village, Delta State cannot be an
exception, hence the passionate call to the House to reconsider the
Section under reference and change the death sentence prescribed therein
to life imprisonment.
The amended law states:
“Any person who contravenes section (3) of this law commits an offence
and shall on conviction be sentenced to life imprisonment without fine.”
