Delta State House of Assembly reduces punishment for kidnapping from death penalty to life in prison

The Delta State House of Assembly in Asaba on Wednesday, reduced the punishment for kidnapping from death penalty to life imprisonment in the state.

The state 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 which was passed by the House, which made provision for death penalty for anybody convicted of kidnapping.

Mr. Okowa in his letter said:

“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,” said Mr. Okowa.

“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 amended law states:

“Any person who contravenes section (3) of this law commits an offence and shall on conviction be sentenced to life imprisonment without fine.”