The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, has opposed a Senate proposal to amend Nigeria’s anti terrorism law to impose the death penalty without the option of a fine for kidnapping related offences.
Speaking at a Senate public hearing, Mr Fagbemi warned that capital punishment could undermine Nigeria’s cooperation with international partners, as many countries refuse to extradite suspects who may face execution.
He said the proposal could unintentionally create safe havens abroad for terrorism suspects, since foreign courts often block extradition on human rights grounds where the death penalty applies.
Mr Fagbemi also cautioned that the death penalty could fuel extremist narratives and encourage martyrdom, noting that executions are sometimes viewed by radical groups as validation rather than deterrence.
He further raised concerns about the irreversible nature of capital punishment and the risk of judicial errors, stressing that wrongful convictions cannot be corrected once a sentence is carried out.
The Attorney General urged lawmakers to reconsider the proposal, adding that effective counter terrorism measures must balance security, justice, and human rights.
