The Delta State House of Assembly on Tuesday in Asaba approved life imprisonment for any person convicted of kidnapping in the state.
This followed the amendment of the Delta State Anti-Kidnapping Law 2016.
Governor Ifeanyi Okowa in a letter to the House appealed for reconsideration of Section 4, Sub-Section 1 of the Delta State Anti-Kidnapping Law, 2016 as passed by the House, which made provision for death penalty.
“The Right Honourable Speaker and Honourable Members of the House are aware that death penalty is globally no longer fashionable as it breaches human right to life and torture, both of which are protected under the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, adopted by the United Nations in 1948. Besides, there is heightened campaign and overwhelming support for the abolition of death penalty globally.
“Since the world is a global village, Delta State cannot be an exception, hence the passionate call to the House to reconsider the Section under reference and change the death sentence prescribed therein to life imprisonment.
The law approved life imprisonment for any person who contravenes section (3) of the Law.
“Any person who contravenes section (3) of this law commits an offence and shall on conviction be sentenced to life imprisonment without fine.”