By Sabiu Abdullahi
The Nigerian Correctional Service in Kano State disclosed that 140 individuals on death row are awaiting execution.
The spokesman for the Kano State Command, Musbahu Kofar-Nassarawa, conveyed this information to the News Agency of Nigeria on Saturday, emphasizing that the condemned individuals comprise both genders.
Mr Kofar-Nassarawa clarified that the Kano Correctional Centre lacks a hangman as it operates as a Medium Security Custodial Centre.
The absence of a hangman further complicates the situation, raising questions about the state’s preparedness for implementing capital punishment.
He pointed out that the governors in the state have not taken decisive action by either signing death warrants or commuting the sentences of those on death row to life imprisonment.
The complex nature of the legal process and the reluctance of the governors have contributed to a growing number of individuals in a state of limbo, awaiting a final decision on their fate.
Mr Kofar-Nassarawa highlighted that some governors utilize constitutional provisions to release inmates, relying on recommendations from the Advisory Council on the prerogative of mercy to alleviate congestion in correctional centers.
The plight of these 140 inmates underscores the broader challenges within the criminal justice system and the need for swift and decisive action to address their uncertain future.