News

NHRC, NGO Calls for Abolition of Death Penalty for Female

Published

1 year ago

October 13, 2025

Ochuwa Ibrahim

NHRC, NGO Calls for Abolition of Death Penalty for Female

By: Michael Mike

Hope Behind Bars Africa, in collaboration with the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), has called for the abolition of death penalty for the female in the country.

The call was made during a validation meeting on research findings organized by Hope Behind Bars Africa in collaboration with the NHRC.

The Executive Director of Hope Behind Bars Africa, Funke Adeoye, called for urgent reforms in Nigeria’s criminal justice system and stronger protection for women facing the death penalty, describing capital punishment as “the most irreversible form of human rights violation.”

Adeoye made the call in Abuja during an event commemorating the World Day Against the Death Penalty, organised in partnership with the NHRC, the Legal Aid Council, and the Nigerian Correctional Service, with support from the Australian High Commission, the Embassy of Belgium, and the French Embassy.

She commended the NHRC for its consistent collaboration over the years, noting that the Commission has remained a steadfast ally in advancing the rights of vulnerable individuals across the country.

Reflecting on her organisation’s work, Adeoye explained that Hope Behind Bars Africa has spent the past seven years tackling systemic injustices within Nigeria’s criminal justice system.

“As an organisation, we have focused on ensuring access to justice for the most vulnerable. We have supported the reduction of pretrial detainees, advocated for fair trials, and provided legal aid to indigent inmates. But among all forms of human rights violations, the death penalty stands out because it is permanent. If an innocent person is imprisoned, there’s always a chance to correct that wrong. But once someone is executed, that mistake can never be undone,” she said.

She revealed that her organisation, with support from the World Coalition Against the Death Penalty, recently conducted research into the experiences of women on death row across Nigeria, uncovering deep-rooted gender discrimination within the justice system.

The research was led by Ms. Ogechi Ogu and Professor Ibrahim Bello ,conducted in collaboration with the National Human Rights Commission, and supported by the French Development Agency, exposes how women on death row face compounded injustices rooted in gender discrimination, poverty, and weak access to justice.

“Our findings show that women in the criminal justice system face intersecting forms of discrimination. Because there are fewer women in detention, their needs are often ignored. The system is patriarchal by design ,it was not built with women in mind and that means their cases, their mental health, and even their rehabilitation receive little attention,” she said.

According to the study, Nigeria’s plural legal system comprising statutory, customary, and Sharia laws creates inconsistencies in justice delivery, particularly for women. Although they constitute a minority of death row inmates, their experiences reveal systemic inequalities in investigation, trial, and sentencing.

The study, which surveyed 60 women on death row across 10 states, found that 47 percent were aged 18–35, while over one-third had no formal education. Most were mothers and primary caregivers, meaning their incarceration causes severe family and social disruption.

Many worked in low-income, informal jobs such as trading, catering, or farming before imprisonment, reflecting their economic vulnerability.

Structural factors like gender-based violence, forced marriage, and economic dependency were found to heavily influence the women’s pathways to crime and conviction. Over a third had experienced domestic abuse or coercion, and in some cases, their offences were directly linked to self-defence or abuse-related trauma.

Within the justice system, 75 percent of the women did not understand the laws under which they were charged, 85 percent felt the law was unfair to women, and more than half described their trials as non-transparent. A significant number noted that the male-dominated judicial structure negatively affected their cases.

The report also highlighted the severe stigma and abandonment faced by women after conviction, especially in cases involving adultery or domestic disputes.

Many inmates’ children suffered disrupted education, unstable care, and psychological trauma as a result of their mothers’ incarceration.

Most women viewed the death penalty as unfair and ineffective, with over 80 percent preferring rehabilitation-based alternatives such as imprisonment with vocational training and psychosocial support.

Adeoye disclosed that when the group wrote to the Nigerian Correctional Service seeking approval to carry out the study, records showed about 85 women on death row nationwide. The goal, she said, was to document their experiences and gather evidence to inform justice reforms.

Turning to recent developments, Adeoye applauded President Bola Tinubu’s decision to grant pardons to some death row inmates, calling it a step in the right direction and also acknowledging that for over nine years Nigeria has not executed prisoners sentenced to death.

“We are grateful to the President for exercising his constitutional powers under Section 175 to grant pardons. But we must also be honest: issues of power and privilege often shape who gets mercy. Take the case of Miriam Sander she had good lawyers and a story that made headlines. Many of the women we work with don’t have that luxury. Some never met their lawyers before trial, and others were represented by under-resourced legal aid officers who simply couldn’t manage capital cases. These women are the forgotten ones,” she said.

Adeoye concluded by reaffirming Hope Behind Bars Africa’s commitment to continue advocating for fairer trials, humane treatment, and reform within Nigeria’s justice system.

“Today’s event is not just about marking the World Day Against the Death Penalty. It is a reminder that justice must serve everyone equally, not only those with power or visibility. We want this research and our advocacy to spark a movement that restores dignity and hope to people who have been written off by society. Our goal is simple: a justice system that values life, fairness, and redemption,” she said.

The Executive Secretary of the National Human Rights Commission, Dr. Tony Ojukwu (SAN), represented by Harry Obe, emphasized that the death penalty has failed to deliver justice or deter crime.

He aligned with the global theme for the year, “The Death Penalty Protects No One,” to stress that executions do not make societies safer, nor do they address the root causes of criminal behavior.

“Evidence from around the world, and indeed from our own context here in Nigeria, shows that the death penalty does not truly protect anyone. It has not significantly deterred crime and often fails to address the underlying causes of violence and insecurity. Justice should be restorative rather than retributive, and the protection of human dignity must be central to our legal and penal systems,” he said.

Dr. Ojukwu stressed the NHRC’s firm position that justice must aim to rehabilitate rather than destroy lives.

The NHRC expressed worry about the growing trend of new laws proposing capital punishment for certain offences, calling such moves “counterproductive” and contrary to current global human rights conversations.

“In our monthly Human Rights Situation Dashboard, we raised concerns over the resurgence of capital punishment in proposed legislations. These include the Edo State Secret Cult Law 2025 and the NAFDAC Bill prescribing the death penalty for the manufacture and distribution of counterfeit medicines. While these measures may appear politically expedient, they are ultimately counterproductive and risk diverting attention from the structural reforms our justice system truly needs,” he noted.

He urged policymakers to focus on preventive justice, social reform, and accountability instead of relying on punitive laws that perpetuate violence.

Dr. Ojukwu acknowledged Nigeria’s informal moratorium on executions over the last decade, describing it as an encouraging step toward the eventual abolition of the death penalty.

“It is noteworthy that Nigeria has observed a de facto moratorium on executions for over ten years. Despite the continued issuance of death sentences, no executions have been carried out during this period. This restraint, though informal, reflects a growing recognition of the need for more humane and effective approaches to justice delivery in Nigeria,” he remarked.

He encouraged the government to formalize this moratorium and take steps toward abolishing the death penalty in line with international human rights standards.

A major highlight of the meeting was the validation of the research on gender and the death penalty in Nigeria, which revealed how women, especially those from marginalized communities, face compounded discrimination in the justice process from investigation to sentencing.

“This research brings to light the unique experiences and vulnerabilities faced by women and gender minorities within our criminal justice system. It shows that women, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds, suffer compounded injustices from biased investigations to inadequate legal representation and sentencing disparities that often go unnoticed,” he explained.

He commended Hope Behind Bars Africa and its partners for their commitment to uncovering these realities and promoting gender-sensitive justice.

“Today’s gathering allows us to validate this important study, strengthen its recommendations, and advance advocacy for a justice system that upholds human rights for all. Let us remember that the death penalty does not protect society

it silences voices and undermines the very justice it claims to serve,” he said.

NHRC, NGO Calls for Abolition of Death Penalty for Female

News

EU, Nigeria Expand Cooperation on Migration, Security with €112m Support

Published

43 minutes ago

November 11, 2026

Ochuwa Ibrahim

EU, Nigeria Expand Cooperation on Migration, Security with €112m Support

By: Michael Mike

The European Union (EU) and Nigeria have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening cooperation on migration management, security and regional stability, with the EU committing a combined €112 million to support migration-related and security initiatives in the country.

The commitment was highlighted during a visit by the European Commissioner for Internal Affairs and Migration, Mr Magnus Brunner, to Abuja on Tuesday, where he held high-level meetings with key Nigerian government officials.

Brunner met with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu; Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr Lateef Fagbemi (SAN); Minister of Interior, Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo; and Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Dr Bernard Doro.

The EU said €66 million had recently been allocated to fund new migration-related projects, while another €26 million would support security interventions, including efforts to curb the proliferation of small arms and drug trafficking.

It also disclosed that it had adopted its first bilateral assistance measure to Nigeria under the European Peace Facility, committing €20 million to support the country’s counterterrorism efforts.

The development comes against the backdrop of growing cooperation between Nigeria and European institutions on migration management, particularly following the signing of the EU-Nigeria Readmission Agreement.

According to the EU, the partnership has recorded improvements in recent years through collaboration between Nigerian authorities and European agencies, including Europol, Eurojust and Frontex.

Brunner said the growing relationship reflected the importance Europe attached to Nigeria as a strategic partner in Africa.

“Nigeria is a key partner for Europe, and our ties are steadily growing stronger. Together we are turning dialogue into action: more security, better migration management, joining forces to bring results.

“We are turning the huge potential of our partnership into mutual benefit,” he said.

The EU said the visit also provided an opportunity to review the broader relationship between both sides, advance cooperation on shared priorities and explore areas of engagement beyond migration and security.

It noted that Nigeria and the EU shared a commitment to multilateralism and a rules-based international order, adding that their partnership had continued to expand in scope.

The relationship has gained further momentum following the eighth EU-Nigeria Ministerial Meeting held in Abuja in March, with the participation of the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas.

The EU also highlighted the role of Team Europe, comprising the EU and its member states, in implementing its Global Gateway investment strategy in Nigeria through projects spanning several sectors.

It said Nigeria’s strategic position in West Africa and its wider regional influence made it an important partner in advancing regional economic cooperation, security, migration management and trade.

The commissioner’s visit is expected to further consolidate the partnership and lay the groundwork for deepe

EU, Nigeria Expand Cooperation on Migration, Security with €112m Support

News

DSS Intercept Weapons Shipment from Niger Republic, Recover 21 AK-47 Rifles, Four PKT Machine Guns in Sokoto

Published

47 minutes ago

November 11, 2026

Ochuwa Ibrahim

DSS Intercept Weapons Shipment from Niger Republic, Recover 21 AK-47 Rifles, Four PKT Machine Guns in Sokoto

By: Zagazola Makama

The Department Of State Security Service (DSS) have intercepted a large consignment of weapons and ammunition allegedly being smuggled from the Niger Republic to armed bandits operating in north-western Nigeria.

The interception, which took place on Tuesday, November 10, at Dawakawa in Goronyo Local Government Area of Sokoto State, followed a security operation targeting suspected weapons trafficking networks across the Nigeria-Niger border.

Security sources said the suspected smugglers were allegedly attempting to transport the weapons into Nigeria using camels, apparently exploiting remote routes and difficult terrain to evade security surveillance.

The operation led to the recovery of 21 AK-47 rifles, four PKT machine guns and 825 magazines.

The interception represents a significant disruption of an alleged cross-border weapons supply network suspected of facilitating the operations of armed bandit groups in the North-West.

The use of camels to transport the weapons highlights the increasingly unconventional methods employed by criminal networks to move arms and ammunition across porous border corridors.

The development also underscores the importance of sustained intelligence surveillance coordinated border security operations in preventing the movement of illicit weapons from neighbouring countries into Nigeria.

The recovered weapons are expected to provide security agencies with valuable leads towards identifying the suppliers, transporters and intended recipients of the consignment.

Zagazola report that several border communities along the Nigeria–Niger Republic frontier have emerged as vulnerable corridors for cross-border arms trafficking, bandit movements and other criminal activities, raising concerns over the security of Nigeria’s North-West.

The affected areas include Illela, Sabon Birni, Isa, Gudu and Tangaza in Sokoto State; Jibia, Kaita, Mai’Adua and Kongolam in Katsina; Zurmi and Shinkafi in Zamfara; as well as Kamba and Arewa Dandi in Kebbi State.

Security concerns around these border regions are linked to porous boundaries, informal trading networks and difficult-to-monitor rural terrain, which criminal networks like Bandits, Lakurawa and Boko Haram exploit for illicit activities.

The development reinforces the need for enhanced border surveillance, intelligence-sharing and coordinated operations to dismantle cross-border weapons supply networks.

Security agencies must also target the financiers and suppliers behind the trafficking networks rather than focusing solely on couriers.

DSS Intercept Weapons Shipment from Niger Republic, Recover 21 AK-47 Rifles, Four PKT Machine Guns in Sokoto

News

INEC Proposes Democratic Freedoms Compact to Safeguard 2027 Elections

Published

3 hours ago

November 11, 2026

Ochuwa Ibrahim

INEC Proposes Democratic Freedoms Compact to Safeguard 2027 Elections

…NHRC warns of political intimidation, arbitrary arrests, hate speech; EU pledges support for protection of civic space

By: Michael Mike

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has proposed a Democratic Freedoms Compact to safeguard fundamental human rights, protect civic space and strengthen public confidence ahead of the 2027 general election.

The proposed compact is designed to guarantee freedom of expression, association and political participation, promote inclusiveness, ensure electoral transparency and accountability, and prevent violence, intimidation and other human rights violations throughout the electoral process.

INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN, unveiled the proposal in a keynote address delivered on his behalf by Dr Hassan Umar at the 2026 Civil Society and Human Rights Defenders Forum on the State of Human Rights in Abuja on Wednesday.

The forum, organised by the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) in collaboration with the European Union (EU), was themed, “Protecting Human Rights in Civic and Political Spaces in the 2027 Elections.”

Amupitan said the credibility of the 2027 elections would be determined not only by the conduct of voting and collation of results but also by the extent to which Nigerians could freely express their opinions, associate, campaign and participate in the political process without fear, discrimination or violence.

He warned that regular elections alone could not sustain democracy if citizens were denied the freedom to express dissenting views, organise, criticise government policies and hold public institutions accountable.

To address these concerns, the INEC chairman said the proposed compact would establish a framework for institutional conduct built around six critical commitments: protection of fundamental freedoms, inclusive participation, transparent elections, accountability for human rights violations, peaceful political competition and constructive engagement among stakeholders.

He called for stronger collaboration among INEC, the NHRC, security agencies, civil society organisations and the media to monitor, document and respond to violations before, during and after the elections.

Amupitan reaffirmed the commission’s commitment to conducting credible elections, ensuring equal treatment of political parties and candidates, strengthening transparency and promoting inclusive participation.

On the contentious issue of electronic transmission of election results, he maintained that the Electoral Act 2026 provided for electronic transmission, while INEC had developed guidelines to address possible technical and communication challenges.

He urged political parties, civil society organisations and other stakeholders to familiarise themselves with the commission’s guidelines and regulations to avoid misinterpretation of the procedures governing result transmission.

The INEC chairman also placed responsibility on security agencies to protect voters, candidates, election officials, observers and journalists, insisting that security personnel must operate professionally and impartially.

He said their presence at polling units and other electoral locations should reassure citizens and create a safe environment for participation rather than generate fear or intimidation.

Earlier, Executive Secretary of the NHRC, Chief Anthony Ojukwu, warned that Nigeria’s democratic space was facing mounting challenges that required urgent intervention as the country approached the 2027 general election.

Ojukwu identified political intimidation, arbitrary arrests, harassment of journalists and human rights defenders, hate speech, restrictions on civic participation and the exclusion of vulnerable groups as threats capable of undermining the credibility of the electoral process.

He said the commission convened the forum at a defining moment in Nigeria’s democratic journey, with the presidential and National Assembly elections scheduled for January 16, 2027, and governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections to follow on February 6.

According to him, the timing was particularly significant because political campaigns were already gathering momentum across the country, making the protection of civic and political freedoms increasingly urgent.

He stressed that democracy was not sustained by elections alone but by the freedom citizens enjoyed between elections to speak without fear, assemble peacefully, associate without obstruction and choose their leaders without intimidation.

Citing Sections 14, 39 and 40 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, Ojukwu said sovereignty belonged to the Nigerian people, while constitutional guarantees protected freedom of expression, association and peaceful assembly.

He also referenced the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, which guarantees citizens the right to participate freely in the governance of their country.

The NHRC boss expressed concern that civil society organisations, journalists and human rights defenders continued to operate in an increasingly difficult environment characterised by harassment, arbitrary arrests and the potential misuse of laws, including provisions of the Cybercrimes Act.

He further raised concerns over political and voter intimidation, exclusionary nomination fees that could prevent women, young people and persons with disabilities from contesting elections, hate speech, incitement and the apparent absence of accountability for electoral offences.

Ojukwu warned that failure to prosecute electoral offenders could encourage impunity and embolden perpetrators to undermine the electoral process.

He disclosed that the commission had established a comprehensive human rights monitoring architecture to track political developments and election-related violations as campaigns intensified.

The mechanisms include a Human Rights Situation Dashboard, a human rights advisory and an Election Situation Room designed to monitor intimidation, suppression of political participation, harassment of journalists and other oversight actors, as well as violations of fundamental freedoms.

He said the commission was finalising an advisory on protecting political space and the right to participation in Nigeria, describing it as a flagship contribution to strengthening human rights protection during the forthcoming elections.

The advisory follows earlier interventions by the commission, including its February 2025 advisory on the protection of freedom of expression, which raised concerns about the interpretation and possible misuse of the Cybercrimes Act.

Ojukwu also disclosed that the commission was documenting violations, preparing cases for investigation and engaging INEC, security agencies, the National Peace Committee and other relevant institutions to strengthen accountability.

He said the NHRC’s Election Situation Room would remain operational throughout the electoral period, while election-focused dashboards and bulletins would be published regularly to provide information on human rights developments.

The commission, he added, would deploy monitors to identified hotspots and establish legal aid partnerships to respond to violations during and after the elections.

He announced that the forum would be transformed into a structured platform for sustained engagement between the commission and civil society organisations, with quarterly meetings, early-warning information sharing and rapid-response mechanisms.

According to him, the arrangement would facilitate coordination between the NHRC’s Situation Room and the Civil Society Election Situation Room, strengthen protection for individuals targeted for exercising their rights and ensure that stakeholders are held accountable for their commitments.

He said the forum would also adopt an outcome statement containing recommendations and a roadmap to guide its activities before, during and after the 2027 elections.

Ojukwu urged civil society organisations and human rights defenders to take ownership of the proposed framework, stressing that they were not spectators in the electoral process but essential partners in defending democracy.

He also acknowledged legislative efforts to strengthen the commission’s mandate and improve the legal protection of human rights defenders, expressing optimism that the reforms would create a more enabling environment for their work.

The NHRC executive secretary maintained that election-related violations must attract consequences, warning that the absence of accountability would weaken public confidence and encourage further abuses.

He said: “When elections go without violence, it is because of the work done long before polling day. Work that is sometimes invisible to the public.”

He added that the protection of democracy required collective responsibility and sustained commitment from government institutions, political parties, security agencies, civil society and international partners.

Also speaking, the EU Ambassador and Head of Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Gautier Mignot, reaffirmed the European Union’s commitment to supporting Nigeria’s democratic institutions and protecting civic and political freedoms ahead of the 2027 general election.

Mignot described the forum’s theme as timely, particularly against the backdrop of reports of election-related violence, hate speech, political intimidation and restrictions on citizens’ fundamental rights.

He warned that such incidents could erode public trust in state institutions and discourage citizens from participating in the electoral process.

The ambassador said free civic and political spaces, including independent media, peaceful assemblies, public forums and civil society organisations, were essential to ensuring credible, transparent and inclusive elections.

According to him, these spaces enable citizens to access information, debate public issues, scrutinise candidates and hold elected leaders and public institutions accountable without fear of censorship or retaliation.

He added that an open civic environment also allowed civil society organisations and active citizens to monitor election administration, track campaign promises and challenge government interference in the democratic process.

Mignot said weakening these safeguards could undermine citizens’ right to meaningful political participation and create opportunities for the suppression of opposition voices and manipulation of democratic rules.

He therefore urged all Nigerian stakeholders, including government institutions, political parties, civil society organisations and the media, to play their respective roles in ensuring a free, fair and credible electoral process.

The EU ambassador disclosed that the partnership with the NHRC had continued since 2024, when the first joint engagement provided a platform for human rights defenders to assess the state of human rights in Nigeria and develop collective responses to challenges confronting them.

He said the second engagement, held as part of activities marking the NHRC’s 30th anniversary, focused on reviewing the country’s human rights record over three decades and identifying emerging challenges requiring sustained intervention.

Mignot described the current forum as a continuation of the strategic partnership, adding that the EU was also preparing a new project with additional funding to deepen its collaboration with the commission.

He pledged that the EU delegation would carefully examine the recommendations and roadmap emerging from the forum and share them with its authorities and member states for further consideration.

He assured Nigeria that the EU and its member states would remain reliable partners in supporting democracy, good governance and the protection of human rights during what he described as a crucial period for the country’s democratic development.

In a goodwill message delivered on behalf of the Chairman of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), Alhaji Yusuf Dantale, Prince Chinedu Obi urged political parties and their supporters to embrace issue-based campaigns, political tolerance and responsible communication.

IPAC cautioned against electoral violence, hate speech, voter suppression and political intimidation, stressing that political opponents must be regarded as competitors rather than enemies.

The council also advocated greater inclusion of women, young people and persons with disabilities in the electoral process, while urging security agencies and other relevant institutions to discharge their responsibilities with professionalism and impartiality.

Dantale said public confidence in the electoral system would ultimately depend on whether institutions could guarantee that votes counted and that Nigerians were able to exercise their democratic rights freely.

The forum brought together representatives of government institutions, diplomatic missions, political parties, civil society organisations, the media and human rights groups to assess the state of human rights in Nigeria and develop practical strategies for protecting civic and political freedoms ahead of the 2027 general election.

INEC Proposes Democratic Freedoms Compact to Safeguard 2027 Elections