Adams Oshiomhole has expressed strong concern over the way some terrorism cases are being handled in court, saying the decisions of a few judges do not match the seriousness of the crimes committed. Speaking during an interview on Channels Television from 2:01, he explained that the country is facing difficult security challenges, yet the government, especially the president, is making real efforts to improve the situation.
Oshiomhole said he has followed many terrorism trials and noticed that several suspects have been found guilty. What bothers him, he explained, is that some punishments handed down by judges do not reflect what the law demands. According to him, the law clearly states that anyone found guilty of terrorism should receive the highest level of punishment. Instead, he has seen cases where people responsible for deadly attacks were given sentences such as twenty years in prison.
He argued that judges do not have the power to reduce punishments that the law has already defined. Their duty, he said, is to interpret the law, not rewrite it. He believes that when someone has taken many lives and is finally caught, there is no reasonable basis for a judge to grant any form of mercy that the law does not allow.
Oshiomhole added that only the president has the constitutional authority to grant clemency. He said he is confident the president is paying attention to these issues and wants the justice system to match the seriousness of the security situation the nation is facing.
In his words, “You have killed so many people, and then you are apprehended, why should any judge grant you any clemency that he’s not empowered by law to do?” View, More,
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