Catholic Archbishop of Lagos, Most Reverend Alfred Adewale Martins, has noted that capital punishment was unnecessary as it does not serve as a deterrent.

Martins said this, in reaction to calls by some Nigerians for the introduction of capital punishment in our judicial system, frowning at the growing trend of jungle justice in the land.

He said if not checked, it was capable of setting back our judicial system and turning the nation back to the era of pre-civilisation, saying capital punishment as being advocated by some Nigerians, was not only inhuman, but also outdated and unnecessary in a civilised nation like Nigeria.

Martins said there was no empirical evidence to prove that capital punishment does help to reduce crime in the society, saying on the contrary, they have seen situations where innocent persons have been sentenced to death for no just cause, and when such happens, that injustice cannot be reversed.

Archbishop Martins said criminals should be allowed to serve jail terms and to also make necessarily restitution for their crimes, saying it would have far-reaching impact on the society.

The cleric, who expressed displeasure on the recent jungle justice reportedly being meted on some suspected Badoo cult boys in parts of Ikorodu, appealed to Nigerians to endeavour to have more regard for the sacredness of human life.