Delta Attorney-General Clears Air On Death Penalty Law

[Shola Sholaz]

DELTA State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Charles Ajuyah (SAN) said in Asaba, Delta State, weekend, that the Delta State Anti-kidnapping and Anti-Terrorism Bill, 2012, passed into law by the state House of Assembly on April 17, this year, by overriding of the veto of the governor, cannot take retroactive effect.
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He said that the 60 convictions of long term imprisonments for kidnapping/robbery, had been secured from various courts in the state, assuring the public that his ministry had stepped up prosecution in that direction as well as other matters.
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Ajuyah said: "It (anti-kidnapping law) took effect from the day the House exercised its power (overriding veto). You find that on the Bill, they specified the commencement date. But you know the law cannot take retroactive effect.  You cannot pass the law now and punish somebody who committed the offence at that time that law was not in existence. It became law when the House exercised its rights.