The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) and Hope Behind Bars Africa have called for the abolition of the death penalty for women in Nigeria, describing it as a grave violation of human rights and an ineffective tool for justice.
The call was made in Abuja during a validation meeting on research findings organized by Hope Behind Bars Africa in collaboration with the NHRC, as part of activities marking the World Day Against the Death Penalty. The event was supported by the Australian High Commission, the Embassy of Belgium, and the French Embassy.
Executive Director of Hope Behind Bars Africa, Funke Adeoye, described capital punishment as “the most irreversible form of human rights violation,” stressing that women on death row face systemic gender discrimination, economic vulnerability, and weak access to justice.
“Our research reveals that the justice system is patriarchal by design. Because there are fewer women in detention, their unique needs are often ignored — from mental health support to fair trials and rehabilitation,” Adeoye said.
The study, conducted in partnership with the NHRC and supported by the World Coalition Against the Death Penalty and the French Development Agency, surveyed 60 women on death row across 10 states. It found that most were from low-income backgrounds, with limited education and poor legal representation.
The findings also showed that many women’s offences were linked to domestic violence, forced marriage, or abuse-related trauma, while 85 percent felt the legal system was unfair to women.
Adeoye commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for recently granting pardons to some death row inmates, calling it “a step in the right direction.” However, she noted that mercy often depends on privilege and visibility, adding that many indigent women lack access to quality legal defence.
She reaffirmed her organisation’s commitment to pushing for reforms that ensure fair trials and humane treatment, saying, “Justice must serve everyone equally, not just the powerful or visible. Our goal is a system that values life, fairness, and redemption.”
Representing the NHRC Executive Secretary, Dr. Tony Ojukwu (SAN), Mr. Harry Obe reiterated the Commission’s opposition to capital punishment, stressing that “the death penalty protects no one.”
“Evidence shows it does not deter crime or address the root causes of violence. Justice should be restorative, not retributive,” Ojukwu said.
He expressed concern over new laws prescribing capital punishment — such as the Edo State Secret Cult Law 2025 and proposed NAFDAC Bill — describing them as “counterproductive” and inconsistent with global human rights standards.
Ojukwu commended Nigeria’s informal moratorium on executions, noting that no executions have occurred in over a decade, which he described as “an encouraging step” toward eventual abolition.
He urged the government to formalize the moratorium and adopt gender-sensitive reforms in the justice system, saying, “The death penalty silences voices and undermines the very justice it claims to serve.”
The event concluded with the validation of a landmark study highlighting the compounded discrimination women face from investigation to sentencing, reinforcing calls for justice reform and the protection of women’s rights within Nigeria’s criminal justice system.
