The Death Penalty

We kill people when they kill people because killing people is wrong. Well, I hope the irony of that statement is obvious enough for all to see. No man deserves to be killed by hanging, firing squad, electrocution, or even the more brutish jungle justice prevalent in this part of the world; irrespective of the crime or offence committed.

God in all His mightiness did not immediately destroy Satan when the latter rebelled against His sovereign authority; though I reckon that the universe would've been better off if He done just that, but who am I to question the All-knowing God? Anyway, the point I'm trying to make is, God thought it best not to execute punishment right away. So, if Him in all His greatness and wisdom wouldn't judge a man until the end of his days – why should you and I?

The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
(II Peter 3:9)

53 countries around the world still uses the death penalty, including Nigeria. However, most European countries has abolished it,
with one exception: Belarus. The world’s top executioner is China. And excluding China, 84% of all reported executions took place in just four countries – Iran, Saudi Arabia, Iraq and Pakistan. Nigeria imposes the highest number of death sentences in Africa and have the highest number of people under death sentence than any other country in the continent.

I once witnessed a jungle justice, the killing of a young man who should be in his early thirties at Ikorodu, Lagos State. He was supposedly caught in the act of stealing, although the details are a little bit foggy now as it happened a long time ago. As the crowd gathered round the thief, who was bleeding profusely. Within a twinkle of an eye, someone brought a tyre and threw it on the man's neck, while another poured fuel on him and a third set him on fire! It was a most gruesome sight.

Do you know that 30% of all cases of jungle justice in Nigeria are caused by either a mistaken identity, an evil plot by a vengeful person or false alarm. Now, think about all those innocent lives being lost due to a barbaric practice. The tragic incident of the four boys killed in the town of Aluu in Rivers state sadly comes to mind. That event alone clearly reveals the absurdity, atrocity and deviltry of jungle justice.

When the mob gathered round the woman caught in the act of adultery to stone her to death. Jesus made a profound statement, "Let him without sin cast the first stone". Pricked to the heart, they all went away one after the other. We kill people when they kill people because killing people is wrong. In that case, we should all be killed shouldn't we? The truth is – we all deserve the capital punishment! Then why should we be the first to cast the stone?