Abuja: The Executive Director of Hope Behind Bars Africa (HBBA), Ms. Oluwafunke Adeoye, asserts that the death penalty does not effectively deter crime in Nigeria.

According to News Agency of Nigeria, Adeoye highlighted in an interview that the death penalty is a harmful and unjust practice that exacerbates failures within the justice system and violates fundamental human rights. She emphasized that the practice often targets the most vulnerable, including the poor and marginalized communities, and no longer serves any legitimate purpose.

‘At Hope Behind Bars Africa, we are strongly against the use of the death penalty. It is irreversible, and in a system marked by flaws and human rights violations, the risk of executing an innocent person is unacceptably high,’ Adeoye stated. The organization is a member of the World Coalition Against the Death Penalty (WCADP) and provides legal representation to those facing capital punishment, engages in strategic litigation, and advocates for broader criminal justice reforms.

Adeoye described the plight of inmates on death row as a form of prolonged mental torture, adding psychological trauma to already overcrowded prison conditions. She argued against the notion that capital punishment deters crime, citing studies that consistently show no deterrent effect while highlighting the opportunity for rehabilitation and transformation.

Addressing grave offenses, Adeoye stressed that justice must not be driven by vengeance, noting the fallibility of the justice system with its inherent mistakes, flawed investigations, and coerced confessions. She warned that Nigeria’s retention of capital punishment remains a significant human rights concern, marked by delays, corruption, and discrimination.

As the founder of the organization, Adeoye advocated for major reforms in sentencing, urging a shift towards non-custodial sentences and restorative justice approaches. She called for alternatives like community service and proper reformation programs to ease prison overcrowding and reshape the public perception of justice.

Adeoye encouraged Nigerian authorities to align domestic policies with international human rights commitments, as Nigeria is a signatory to treaties like the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights. ‘Aligning national law with global standards will strengthen the rule of law, protect vulnerable citizens, and enhance Nigeria’s international reputation,’ she concluded.