House Of Representatives Moves To Spare Pregnant Women From Execution

The House of Representatives has initiated a constitutional amendment aimed at protecting the life of unborn children carried by pregnant women sentenced to death. The move follows the approval of a bill by the House Committee on Constitution Review, led by Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu.

The proposed amendment seeks to revise Section 33(1) of the 1999 Constitution, which guarantees every person’s right to life, allowing deprivation of life only through lawful court sentences. The new subsection, 1A, would mandate that if a pregnant woman is convicted of a capital offence, the court must impose a life imprisonment sentence instead of the death penalty, once her pregnancy is confirmed.

Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Mike Ozekhome, praised the initiative as both progressive and humane. He argued that unborn children possess an inherent right to life, independent of their mother’s actions, and likened the proposal to protections found in the 14th Amendment of the United States Constitution. Ozekhome stressed that executing a pregnant woman would result in “double killings,” harming an innocent unborn child who has committed no crime.

Constitutional lawyer Abdul Mahmud also endorsed the bill, describing it as a thoughtful effort to balance criminal justice with the sanctity of life. He highlighted that commuting sentences to life imprisonment ensures that punishment remains proportionate and personal, aligning Nigeria with evolving human rights standards and prompting reflection on the ethical implications of the death penalty.

In a related move, the House also proposed inserting a new Section 33A to guarantee Nigerians the right to a clean and healthy environment. The provision outlines citizens’ rights to live in an environment free from pollution and hazards, participate in environmental decision-making, access information, and hold polluters accountable, while promoting sustainable development for present and future generations.