ASF IMPLORES FG TO SUSPEND EXECUTION OF 800 PRISONERS ON DEATH ROW

Lawyers Without Borders France, otherwise known as ASF France, and the National Human Rights Commission, have appealed to the Federal Government to suspend the execution of over 800 inmates on death row convicted for crimes ranging from murder, armed robbery and kidnapping in various prisons in the country during a news conference to mark the World Day Against Death Penalty in Abuja on Wednesday.

Head of Mission, ASF France, Celine Lemmel, said “While ASF France commends the Nigerian government for its self-imposed moratorium, it urges the government to issue an official statement clearly declaring that Nigeria has adopted a moratorium on execution of death sentences, i.e an official suspension of executions and, eventually, of death sentences.” She also said many of the convicts cannot afford the services of lawyers and were condemned based on confessional statements made under duress during interrogation by law enforcement agencies most of whom lack apparatus to carry out forensic investigations.

Is she right? Our Law Enforcement agencies are not equipped to carry out forensic investigations?