‘How Can An Offense That Carry Death Penalty, A Judge Reduced It To 20 Years In Prison’ -Oshiomhole

Senator Adams Oshiomhole, representing Edo State, has expressed outrage over judges who impose lenient sentences on convicted terrorists despite laws mandating the death penalty for terrorism offenses.

Speaking during a Senate plenary session covered by Symfoni TV, Oshiomhole criticized judicial decisions that contradict existing legislation. “I am troubled by the conflicting judgments by various high court judges where the law says acts of terrorism, if convicted, shall attract the death penalty. No judge has a right to pronounce less than that,” he said.

The senator argued that only the president holds the constitutional authority to commute sentences after courts have properly implemented the law. “It is only when you have implemented the law, interpreted the law—not the sentiment of a judge—the will of the people as conveyed in a law, then the president can decide if there are reasons for him to do so, whether to commute or to reduce. How can an offense that carry death penalty, a Judge reduced it to 20 years in prison? That is unacceptable. He has violated the laws passed by the parliament,” Oshiomhole stated.

The Edo lawmaker emphasized that the National Assembly had passed death penalty provisions for terrorism under Senate President Godswill Akpabio’s leadership and expressed frustration over judicial undermining of these laws.

He highlighted the extensive efforts security agencies and prosecutors invest in securing convictions through due process, arguing that judges who arbitrarily reduce sentences from death to prison terms disrespect both parliamentary authority and the sacrifices made to prosecute terrorists successfully.

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