CURRENT ISSUES: Death penalty, job creation, panacea to Nigerians’ emigration to foreign countries

Kabiru Adebayo is a member of the Young Lawyers’ Forum (YLF) of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Ilorin branch, he speaks in this interview with our JUDICIARY CORRESPONDENT, KAYODE ADEOTI on the need for the Federal Government of Nigeria to create jobs for its citizens among other sundry issues. Excerpts: 

The issue of Nigerians being on death row in foreign countries has been generating controversy in recent times, what is your take on this? 

As far as I’m concerned, those countries where foreigners are being executed, have not violated any law, so far, it is in the provision of their laws which attracts states consequences of offences. There are some offences which carry death penalty. Where there is no law, there is no offence, but where there are, law must be implemented. The fact that anything goes in Nigeria doesn’t mean other countries of the world should be following our steps, it’s wrong. Nigeria is not ready to implement her laws, we cannot stop other countries from implementing theirs. Those Nigerians going to other countries to live are aware of their laws, which states possession of illicit drugs attracts death penalty. They went ahead to commit the crime even with knowledge of this. If Nigerians are not afraid to violate law in the foreign lands, they should not be afraid too to suffer the consequence.

(Cut in)… Is there anything Nigerian government can do to help the situation ? 

It depends on the bilateral relationship between the countries involved. Especially, if the law of the country where Nigerians are convicted gives room for extradiction. However, those countries don’t want to transfer case to Nigeria, they know that once it gets down here, the matter will be swept under the carpet, Nigeria factor will step in. This is not the first time, some of these people have been convicted, they’ve been arrested, many of them have been to prison a couple of times. The only most important thing government at the Federal, State and Local levels, even private individuals can do to address the situation is to create more jobs and grow the economy. The Nigerians who travelled abroad, do so to earn a living. Since Nigeria government has been campaigning against prostitution, it has never stopped our ladies from going to Italy and other countries to trade their bodies for money. Look at what is happening in South Africa, Nigerians are being killed like chickens in that land, yet our government has done nothing about it. We are being treated anyhow in South Africa because they know our government cannot keep us nor provide for us.

Why are we not having execution of death sentence again in Nigeria?

We have problem, and we think every other country should be like us. We have cases of armed robbery which the penalty is death, when was the last time, president or governor signs death warrant for anyone convicted even with knowledge of this offence? After some time, the offender goes back to the society and continue in the nafarious act. In our constitution as of today, death penalty still stands, our government have failed to give live to that law.