As Nigerians continue
to rise against the recent execution of four condemned prisoners in Edo State,
the Catholic bishops of Nigeria have joined their voice against the resumption
of capital punishment, saying it was “a clear departure from modernity to
savagery.”
“Just when we believe
that Nigeria was on the verge of joining the civilized world in ending the
death penalty, we are shocked to hear of the unfortunate execution of four
convicted persons in Benin city, Edo State,” the bishops noted in a statement.
According to a release
signed by the President of The CBCN, Archbishop Ignatius Kaigama of Jos, the
bishops condemned the use of the Constitution to justify capital punishment and
therefore called for an urgent amendment of the constitution to proscribe all laws
that infringe on the rights of individuals especially the right to life.
“Capital punishment neither
gives the person the opportunity to conform to the norms of the society, nor
give opportunity of deterrence of actual and potential criminals from future
deeds future deeds of violence,” the bishops added.
While insisting that
life is a gift from God which must be respected, the bishops said the country’s
leadership have a duty to protect and nurture the lives of its citizens.
“As believers in God,
we insist on the sacredness and dignity of human life being created in the
image and likeness of God. Man is called to fullness of life which far exceeds
the dimension of his earthly existence because it consists of sharing the very
life of God.”
The bishops also called
for renewed commitment by government towards reforming criminals and while
urging all State actors to show more restraint in carrying out functions that
extinguish the right to life and dignity of human persons.
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