82 Nigerian Women On Death Row

Pisoners.

ASF France, a global human rights organisation, has disclosed that 82 Nigerian women are currently imprisoned on death row in various correctional facilities nationwide.

Angela Uzoma-Iwuchukwu, ASF France’s Country Director in Nigeria, made the revelation during a training session focused on gender-related issues in the application of the death penalty, held in Abuja on Wednesday.

She noted that this number ranks among the highest for female death row inmates in sub-Saharan Africa.

“These women, often overlooked and forgotten, deserve to have their voices heard and their unique situations acknowledged,” she stated.

Uzoma-Iwuchukwu emphasised that the death penalty is not applied in a gender-neutral way. Gender bias influences the entire justice process—from arrest through to conviction and imprisonment of women sentenced to death.

Many of the women on death row are victims of domestic violence who reacted to abuse, sometimes resulting in homicide. However, the legal system often fails to recognise their victimhood.

“They are subjected to further violence and discrimination within the justice system. In reality, these women are punished not only for their crimes but also for defying traditional gender roles,” she explained.

Poverty is another major factor, as many of these women cannot afford quality legal defence, which strongly affects their chances of avoiding the death penalty.

She recounted a case from Katsina State where a young woman was condemned to death by stoning for having a child outside marriage. ASF France’s intervention led to the Court of Appeal overturning the sentence, pointing out that the court failed to investigate who impregnated her.

She called for a suspension of executions and for women who have experienced gender-based violence to be recognised as victims and given fair treatment during sentencing.

Dr Chioma Kanu, Executive Director of Mothers and Marginalised Advocacy Centre, underscored the personal toll, saying, “Every prisoner has family—mothers, wives, daughters, or sisters—who suffer when justice fails.”

She cautioned that not all death row inmates are guilty, citing confessions obtained under duress and lack of legal representation. “We can free the innocent, but cannot undo executions,” she warned.

They advocate for justice for victims and security for affected families.