AN EXAMINATION OF DEATH PENALTY IN NIGERIA

Abstract

This research work examines death penalty, which has been a subject of debate from time immemorial. Death penalty has been used as a form of punishment for various degrees of offences. In Nigeria, the legal infliction of death as a penalty has and still remains an inherent part of our criminal justice system. The crux of retentions argument centres mainly on: Deterrence, Retribution theory, Incapacitation while more convincing argument against the concept off death penalty are based on; Propensity to Condemn innocent criminal due to mistake of law, Death penalty disproportionately used against the poor, Religious ideology, violation of rights and human dignity. The work examines and juxtapose the argument for and against death penalty. It compares death penalty with other countries jurisdiction and draws a conclusion as to whether it should be retained. This research recommends that there should be renewed application on death penalty in Nigeria, considering the fact it has not adequately solved the problem of ongoing crimes and also government should try to look into causes of crimes, rather than executing without it yielding any positive result, death penalty doesn�t deter crimes, also criminals should be reformed, whereby the offender is condemned but rehabilitated, and also gives a recommendation and the way forward.

Identifiers

Resource ID

urn:uuid:8a22b3fe-3e70-4e0d-b6b9-00fc2ba996f0