FOR the first time since 2007, members of the Delta State Assembly dared the state governor, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan, over the anti-kidnapping bill of 2012, which was passed last year, proscribing death penalty for kidnappers.

The governor, in a letter dated January 18 and addressed to the house, which was read at the plenary session on Wednesday, adduced reasons he decided to withold his assent on the bill.

He faulted sections 4 (1) (3) (4) (5) and 14 of the bill, which provided death sentence for any kidnapper in the state.

According to him: “It is my view that death sentence punishment is not likely to serve as a deterrent or antidote for the crime of kidnapping,” suggesting rather a longer imprisonment term.

But relying on section 100 (5) of the 1999 Consitution as amended, the legislators went ahead and passed the bill into law the second time, after reconsidering it by two-third majority votes through signing.

Twenty-six of the 29 members signed for its passage.

With the majority votes, the assent of the governor no longer matters, according to the section 100 (5), even as the bill becomes law of Delta State with effect from April 17.

The Speaker, Honourable Victor Ochei, then ordered the clerk of the house to enrol the new law in the judiciary.

http://tribune.com.ng/news2013/index.php/en/news/item/9882-amnesty-uduaghan-disagrees-with-legislators-over-death-penalty