EDO State government on Monday night confirmed the execution of four convicted criminals by hanging.
The execution has elicited condemnation from Amnesty International, which, in a statement on Monday, called on Nigerian government to exercise restraint in carrying out the killing which it said was confirmed by a court on Monday in Benin City.
When contacted Monday night, the Attorney General and Commissioner for justice, Henry Idahagbon, confirmed the executions. According to him, the convictions were obtained many years ago from the Supreme Court. Three of the executed criminals were said to have been convicted outside the state, but had been in prison in Benin City.
Idahagbon said the execution of the convicts was based on the request of the prison authorities.
On claims that there was a stay of execution order, Idahagbon said his office got the stay of execution papers but that the execution was not to be carried out by his office.
It was learnt that the prison authorities claimed they did not receive any stay of execution order.