Unbelievable: This is what Delta state wants to do to kidnappers
– The members of the Delta state House of Assembly amended the law on kidnapping which it earlier passed this year – The new law takes a critical look at the death penalty stipulated in one of its sections, according to an appeal by the state governor – Okowa told the lawmakers that death penalty […]
The post Unbelievable: This is what Delta state wants to do to kidnappers appeared first on Nigeria News today & Breaking news | Nigerian newspapers 24/7.
– The members of the Delta state House of Assembly amended the law on kidnapping which it earlier passed this year
– The new law takes a critical look at the death penalty stipulated in one of its sections, according to an appeal by the state governor
– Okowa told the lawmakers that death penalty was no longer fashionable across the world and that instead, life imprisonment should be adopted
Members of the Delta state House of Assembly have approved life imprisonment for any person convicted of kidnapping in the state.
File photo of kidnappers arrested by the police
The approval follows the amendment of the state anti-kidnapping law 2016 and the need to reduce the death penalty being the punishment for those found guilty of the act.
Most states in Nigeria have remained at a loss on the best way to combat kidnapping now taking its toll on the citizens.
Just recently, the decomposing body of John Adeyi, a reverend father with the Roman Catholic Church, was discovered in Otukpa, Ogbadibo local government area of Benue state, about two months after his kidnap.
In a letter to the House, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa appealed for reconsideration of section 4, sub-section 1 of the law 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.
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“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.”
With the intervention of the lawmakers, the section now reads: “Any person who contravenes section (3) of this law commits an offence and shall on conviction be sentenced to life imprisonment without fine.”
According to the law: “No person shall kidnap or detain another person or prevent another person from applying to a court for his release or from disclosing to any other person the place where he is being or prevent any person entitled to have access to another from discovering the place where he is held hostage with or without demand for ransom.
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“Any person who initiates a compromise, settlement or refuses to give testimony in court in respect of offences charged under this law shall be guilty of an offence and shall on conviction be liable to be sentenced to life imprisonment
“The owner of a property who knowingly lets or allows his property/ premises to another for the purpose of harbouring any person is guilty of an offence and shall on conviction be liable to life imprisonment and forfeiture of the said property to the state.”
The post Unbelievable: This is what Delta state wants to do to kidnappers appeared first on Nigeria News today & Breaking news | Nigerian newspapers 24/7.