Ambode, sign these warrants

Recently, it was reported that those who had been sentenced to death in Lagos State by courts of competent jurisdiction would be executed this week.

Governor Akinwumi Ambode should not succumb to any pressure from anybody not to sign their death warrants. It is inhuman and heartless for anyone to deliberately kill his fellow human being, then begin to  plead with the government to allow him to live.

The 1999 Constitution says that no one should terminate the life of another person. Since the courts have pronounced judgment on the murderers, I think it is okay for Governor Ambode to go ahead and sign their warrants.

However, let me quickly call on the governor not to sign the warrants of convicts whose cases are still at the Court of Appeal, until their appeals are finally concluded at the Supreme Court.

In Oyo State, a convicted armed robber was sentenced to death by the state High Court on November 12, 1980, and the warrant was signed by the then governor, Chief Ajibola Ige.

The said convict was executed. The case is Bello Vs Attorney General of Oyo State (1980) 5 NWLR PT.45 P.828.

It is saddening  to learn that most murder cases involving high-profile people in Nigeria do not yield any fruitful results. If Nigeria is to turn out a better country, the citizens should be ready to be law-abiding and desist from killing people intentionally.

I see no reason why we must not enforce the death penalty. If it is signed, I am of the belief that it will serve as a deterrent to others.

One Cynthia Osokogu was murdered by her Facebook friends intentionally. Those who did the dastardly act have been sentenced to death. I don’t think there should be any mercy for murderers.

It is painful for any parent to lose  either a  son or daughter to murderers. We all have a right to live. It is in view of this that I call on the Lagos State governor not to rescind his decision to sign the death warrants before him.

He is empowered with the constitution to sign them. The governor should not look back.

Jimoh Mumin

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