Popular Nigerian rapper, speedy Darlington has questioned the method under which many African judges pass judgement on minor infractions.
Mr Darlington who stated in a video that has circulated on social media platforms on Sunday said that the arbitrary rate at which some judges are sentencing petty offenders does not match the offence committed by the criminals.
“Why do African judges they give prison time like say man has not thing else to do with his life other than sit in prison,
“Small Igbo (Indian hemp) three months: things Oyingbo they give six months, Nigerian judges they give two years.” He said.
Mr Darlington comment comes on the heels as many Nigerians who are poor (economically challenged) and other categories of marginalised persons are still met with heavy punishment for petty crimes.
This is against the adoption of the Principles on the Decriminalisation of Petty Offenses in Africa by the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR) in 2017, which aims to softer draconian laws for a more holistic approach to the challenges between poverty, justice, and human rights.
Right groups have also campaigned against the arrest of petty Offences in the country.
