Delta Assembly Overrides Governor, Approves Death Penalty For Kidnappers

SAN FRANCISCO, April 18, (THEWILL) – Democracy was put to test Wednesday in Asaba, the Delta State capital as the House of Assembly Wednesday overrode Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan and approved the death penalty bill for kidnappers.

The Executive and the Assembly had sharply disagreed over the bill with the Governor arguing that the punishment was too harsh and would not deter kidnappers amongst other reasons.

The House had sent the bill to the Governor for assent over four months ago but Uduaghan withheld his approval.

The Anti-Kidnapping and Anti-Terrorism Bill, 2012, was passed by 26 of the 29 members of the House and has become a law in the state.

The Governor in a letter to the House read by the Speaker of House, Rt. Honourable Victor Ochei, explained his reason for withholding his assent saying, “It is my view that death sentence punishment is not likely to serve as deterrent or antidote...”

However dissatisfied with the explanation, Assembly members, citing Section 100 sub-section 5 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, overrode the Governor.

The Assembly needed two-third majority to override the Governor.

However, following the overwhelming vote, Ochei, directed the Acting Clerk of the House, Mrs. Lyna Ocholor, to enroll the law in the state High Court, as it had become law with immediate effect.