Why Are Some Governors Refusing to Sign Death Warrants? – Bala Mohammed

Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed has revealed why some state governors are avoiding signing death warrants.
According to Track News, Rauf Aregbesola, the Minister of Interior, urged governors in July to sign death warrants in order to decongest prisons.

However, many civil society and human rights organizations disagreed with the minister, arguing that the death penalty should be replaced with long-term imprisonment.

Bala Mohammed said on Friday in Bauchi, while signing the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) bill and a bill to establish the Bauchi state penal code into law, that he will soon begin signing death warrants.

Some governors, he claims, are reluctant to sign death warrants because of the risk of wrongfully convicting someone.

“We will soon be signing some death sentences because there are many and because justice must be carried out to its logical conclusion,” he said.

“I know some governors are avoiding signing the death sentences because they exercise restraint based on the possibility of error.”

“However, I will leave it to my lord (the chief judge) to prosecute.” It isn’t my fault. I will do it if it is brought to my attention.

“As for the Violence Against Persons Prohibition Act, we know that we were the first in the northern part of the country to enact the law, which was, incidentally, a member’s bill from the honourable speaker, and it has earned us a lot of respect in the country.”

“But because of some noticed gaps, it was taken back and it was corrected. We appreciate the corrections made by the House.”