Nigerian House of Representatives Proposes New Constitutional Law to Protect Pregnant Women on Death Row, Commute Death Sentence to Life Imprisonment
The Nigerian House of Representatives has proposed a major constitutional amendment aimed at protecting pregnant women sentenced to death and safeguarding the lives of their unborn children. The proposal, adopted by the House Committee on Constitution Review chaired by Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, seeks to amend Section 33 of the 1999 Constitution to ensure that any pregnant woman convicted of a capital offence is sentenced to life imprisonment instead of death.
Under the proposed new subsection, courts would be required to commute death sentences once pregnancy is proven, recognising the unborn child’s right to life. Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Mike Ozekhome, praised the bill as humane and progressive, arguing that executing a pregnant woman amounts to the unjust killing of an innocent unborn child. He cited international human rights principles, U.S. constitutional arguments, and moral considerations in support of the amendment.
Constitutional lawyer Abdul Mahmud also endorsed the proposal, describing it as a balanced effort to align criminal justice with evolving global human rights standards, while raising broader questions about the continued relevance of the death penalty in Nigeria.
In addition, the House proposed a separate amendment to guarantee Nigerians’ right to a clean, safe, and healthy environment, including access to environmental information and accountability for pollution. The twin proposals reflect a broader legislative push toward human rights protection, environmental justice, and constitutional reform in Nigeria.
The Nigerian House of Representatives has proposed a major constitutional amendment aimed at protecting pregnant women sentenced to death and safeguarding the lives of their unborn children. The proposal, adopted by the House Committee on Constitution Review chaired by Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, seeks to amend Section 33 of the 1999 Constitution to ensure that any pregnant woman convicted of a capital offence is sentenced to life imprisonment instead of death.
Under the proposed new subsection, courts would be required to commute death sentences once pregnancy is proven, recognising the unborn child’s right to life. Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Mike Ozekhome, praised the bill as humane and progressive, arguing that executing a pregnant woman amounts to the unjust killing of an innocent unborn child. He cited international human rights principles, U.S. constitutional arguments, and moral considerations in support of the amendment.
Constitutional lawyer Abdul Mahmud also endorsed the proposal, describing it as a balanced effort to align criminal justice with evolving global human rights standards, while raising broader questions about the continued relevance of the death penalty in Nigeria.
In addition, the House proposed a separate amendment to guarantee Nigerians’ right to a clean, safe, and healthy environment, including access to environmental information and accountability for pollution. The twin proposals reflect a broader legislative push toward human rights protection, environmental justice, and constitutional reform in Nigeria.
Nigerian House of Representatives Proposes New Constitutional Law to Protect Pregnant Women on Death Row, Commute Death Sentence to Life Imprisonment
The Nigerian House of Representatives has proposed a major constitutional amendment aimed at protecting pregnant women sentenced to death and safeguarding the lives of their unborn children. The proposal, adopted by the House Committee on Constitution Review chaired by Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, seeks to amend Section 33 of the 1999 Constitution to ensure that any pregnant woman convicted of a capital offence is sentenced to life imprisonment instead of death.
Under the proposed new subsection, courts would be required to commute death sentences once pregnancy is proven, recognising the unborn child’s right to life. Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Mike Ozekhome, praised the bill as humane and progressive, arguing that executing a pregnant woman amounts to the unjust killing of an innocent unborn child. He cited international human rights principles, U.S. constitutional arguments, and moral considerations in support of the amendment.
Constitutional lawyer Abdul Mahmud also endorsed the proposal, describing it as a balanced effort to align criminal justice with evolving global human rights standards, while raising broader questions about the continued relevance of the death penalty in Nigeria.
In addition, the House proposed a separate amendment to guarantee Nigerians’ right to a clean, safe, and healthy environment, including access to environmental information and accountability for pollution. The twin proposals reflect a broader legislative push toward human rights protection, environmental justice, and constitutional reform in Nigeria.
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