LAGOS JUNE 27TH (URHOBOTODAY) Few days after execution of four convicts, indications emerged last night that the Edo State Government is preparing to execute fifth convict who was ordered to be executed by firing squad.
Thankgod Ebohs won a brief respite because his sentence by a military tribunal called for him to be shot by a firing squad.
The state government had on Monday executed four prisoners, sparking local and international condemnations. The state Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Henry Idahagbon, had as soon as logistics were put in place, Ebohs would be executed too.
Meanwhile, some civil society organisations yesterday urged Governor Adams Oshiomhole to halt further action in signing execution warrant on convicted prisoners and urged the state government to join the global call for the abolition of death penalty.
The organisations which comprised of the African Network for Environment and Economic Justice (ANEEJ), Gani Fawehimi Movement for Good Governance (GFMFGG), Conference of Non- Governmental Organisations (CONGOs), Coalition of Edo Youth Organisation (CEYO), South-South Youth League, made the call when they met with the state
Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Henry Idahagbon, in Benin City, to kick against death penalty in the country laws.
The Executive Director of the ANEEJ, Rev. David Ugolor, who spoke on behalf of others disclosed that the group decided to meet with the commissioner following the hanging of the four death row prisoners Monday, urged the state government to support the call for the abolition of death penalty and appealed to the governor to halt further action on convicted criminals for the sake of humanity.
The group, however, commended the state government for improving on the state criminal justice process by ensuring that the legal opinion from the Department of Public Prosecution (DPP) will now be within 30 days, saying this would to a large extent help in the speedy administration of criminal justice in the state.
In another development, Advocats Sans Frontières France (ASFF) has condemned the execution of the four inmates sentenced to death by hanging by the Edo state government.
ASFF in statement signed by its Head of Office, Angela Uwandu, noted that the execution despite the appeal filed by an NGO Legal Defence and Assistance Project (LEDAP) was a dent on the country’s human
rights record.
“ASFF condemns in strong terms the execution by hanging of 4 inmates on death row on Monday June 24, 2013, in Edo State, Nigeria. Theseexecutions were carried out despite the application for stay of execution by a human rights organisation. The executed inmates still had rights to appeal the decision of the Federal High Court,” Uwandu
said.
Source: THISDAY