Death row: Kano governor wants CJN to sign execution warrants

Kano State governor, Dr Abdullahi Ganduje, has suggested that the law which mandates state governors to sign death warrants of condemned prisoners should be amended by National Assembly to enable the task to be reassigned to the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN).

He made the call while receiving the new Comptroller of Prisons, Kano State Command, Alhaji Aliyu Achor, who complained to him that most of the governors refused to sign execution documents in their respective states,  saying it was a factor contributing to prisons congestion across the federation.

'Life is valued in African culture, perhaps that is why governors are reluctant to sign execution documents. Since judges are the ones who make the sentences, I think the National Assembly should amend the law so that the CJN signs the warrants. I think the CJN is in a better position to assent to the execution,' the governor stated.

Dr Ganduje assured that his administration would look into the possibility of allocating more land adjacent the expanse of territory already apportioned for the proposed relocation of Kano Central Prison to Janguza, the outskirts of the city, as well as for the extension of Wudil prison, to accommodate more inmates.

He further assured that the state Committee of Prerogative of Mercy would be reinvigorated to work closely with the State command of Nigeria Prison Service to ensure that prisons in Kano are decongested and that the welfare of inmates is guaranteed.