I Will Sign My Father’s Death Warrant If He’s Convicted — Edo Governor Declares
By Trek Africa Newspaper
Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has vowed to sign the death warrants of convicted kidnappers regardless of their relationship with him, declaring that he would personally supervise their execution.
The governor said he would not spare anyone found guilty of kidnapping, even if the person were his father or another close family member.
Okpebholo spoke in a video shared by TheCable on Tuesday, November 10, 2026, amid efforts by his administration to enforce the state law prescribing the death penalty for kidnapping offences resulting in the death of victims.
“I pray our brothers are not involved because I will sign it. Even if it is my father, I will sign it. The truth is this: we just have to get some bad elements out of the system for the system to stand,” he said.
He said kidnapping victims had suffered severe trauma, citing an incident in which a woman was allegedly pushed during an abduction attempt and an attack on the state’s Chief Judge.
“Just look at the way they were pushing that woman down there. Supposing she died at that, because of fear, only fear. It’s enough for her to die. People have gone through trauma.
“Even our Chief Judge, if you see our Chief Judge, one of his hands was cut off by kidnappers,” he added.
The governor said he had contacted the state Attorney-General to ascertain the status of the relevant documents and was awaiting further action.
He, however, vowed to pursue the cases through the appeal process, insisting that those convicted would not escape punishment.
“But we still follow them up on the appeal. We won’t just let them go like that. So we will get to wherever they stop, we will take them from there. We will not spare anybody,” he said.
Okpebholo further declared that he was ready to sign the death warrants and personally supervise the executions once the necessary documents were presented to him.
“I stand, if I see this paper today, now, I will sign it and I will even supervise the killing,” he said.
The governor’s comments come amid the implementation of the Edo State Kidnapping Prohibition (Amendment) Law, 2025, which introduced the death penalty for kidnapping offences resulting in the death of victims.
The Edo State House of Assembly passed the amendment in February 2025, and Okpebholo subsequently signed it into law.
The amended law prescribes life imprisonment for kidnapping offences where victims survive, while those directly involved in abductions resulting in death face capital punishment.
It also provides penalties for individuals who aid, abet or provide support for kidnapping activities.
