Justice Ishaq Usman Bello, former Chief Judge of the FCT High Court and ex-chairman of Nigeria’s prison reform committee, has urged state governors to sign death warrants for inmates who have exhausted their appeals. 

Speaking at the Nigeria Human Rights Conference in Enugu, he said governors' reluctance to sign these warrants contributes to prison congestion and encourages criminality.

Justice Bello noted that more than 3,500 inmates remain on death row nationwide, and blamed political hesitation for the delays in carrying out sentences.

 He stressed that enforcing capital punishment is a constitutional duty and part of the justice system.

He also cautioned against comparing Nigeria’s justice system to those in the UK or US, pointing to inadequate funding and infrastructure as major limitations. He called for greater investment in the judiciary and police to ensure timely and effective justice delivery.