By Stanley Onyekwere
Angela Uwandu Uzoma-Iwuchukwu, the Country Director of Avocats Sans Frontières France (ASF France) in Nigeria, has been honoured with the Robert Badinter Grand Prix Finalist Award at the concluding ceremony of the 9th World Congress Against the Death Penalty in Paris.
The Robert Badinter Grand Prix is widely regarded as one of the highest international distinctions within the global human rights movement.
Also, it honours individual courage, outstanding leadership, and systemic impact in the global movement to end capital punishment.
Ms. Uzoma-Iwuchukwu was presented with the official Finalist Award Certificate during the Congress ceremony.
The international jury recognized Ms. Uzoma-Iwuchukwu for her courageous advocacy and inspiring efforts to advance the abolition of the death penalty in Nigeria.
Under her leadership, ASF France has driven a multi-pronged approach to justice sector reform, including: strategic litigation and direct legal aid to death row inmates, saving numerous lives,
high-level legislative advocacy and policy reform engagements, capacity building for the judiciary and law enforcement actors, and rigorous prison monitoring to safeguard human rights.
This prestigious recognition comes at a pivotal moment for human rights in West Africa.
As of December 2025, Nigeria holds the largest death row population in Sub-Saharan Africa, with over 3,742 individuals under sentence of death, including 82 women.
However, due to relentless civil society advocacy led by Ms. Uzoma-Iwuchukwu and strategic partners, Nigeria has not carried out an execution in nearly a decade.
By December 2026, the country will mark 10 consecutive years without an execution, officially qualifying Nigeria for designation as a “de facto abolitionist country” under international human rights criteria.
“Nigeria reaching 10 years without executions is a milestone we must protect.
“This award demonstrates that courageous advocacy can fundamentally alter a country’s human rights trajectory.
“I accept this honor on behalf of all Nigerians striving for a justice system that respects the inherent right to life.
“The next step is clear: codify a formal moratorium on executions into law, reduce the scope of capital offenses, and build the national consensus required for eventual full abolition,”
Angela Uwandu Uzoma-Iwuchukwu stated.
ASF France has maintained an active presence in Nigeria, providing free legal assistance, training legal professionals, and advocating for strict adherence to international human rights standards.
The global organization commended Ms. Uzoma-Iwuchukwu’s visionary leadership and reaffirmed its unwavering support for Nigeria’s transition away from capital punishment.
The 9th World Congress Against the Death Penalty convened jurists, abolitionists, and policymakers from over 100 countries to review global milestones and accelerate the universal push to end the death penalty.
About ASF France (Lawyers Without Borders France) is an international human rights organization dedicated to defending the Rule of Law and ensuring access to justice for vulnerable populations.
In Nigeria, ASF France actively combats torture, guarantees fair trial rights, advocates for death penalty abolition, and protects digital rights and press freedom.
