Death Penalty: a Violation of the Fundamental Right to Life in Nigeria?

Abstract

The death penalty has been with mankind since antiquity. Globally, it dates back as far as the fifth century B.C in the Roman law of the twelve tablets, the Draconian code of Anthems of the seventh century BC, and the code of the Fourteenth century B.C. The death penalty is mandatory or discretionary, depending on the crime. Also, the range of crimes for which the death penalty is or might be imposed varies from country to country. In some, it is extremely wide while in others, it has either contracted or expanded.

The earliest method of execution were crucifixion, drowning, beating to death, burning to death and later in the 10th century AD, hanging became the usual method of execution in Britain. In the 10th century methods of execution were boiling, burning at the stake, hanging beheading and drawing and quartering. During the 18th century, methods of execution included burning at the stake, the wheel, and the garrote- head mans axe and later electrocution, gas chamber, tiring squad, handing and lethal injection. Life imprisonment was also starting to be used as a feasible alternative to the death penalty.