Nigeria
2026
- GOVERNMENT
- federal presidential republic
- CONSTITUTION
- a new constitution was adopted in 1999
- LEGAL SYSTEM
- based on English common law, Islamic law (in 12 northern states), and tribal norms
- LEGISLATIVE SYSTEM
- bicameral, Senate and House of Representatives
- JUDICIAL SYSTEM
- Supreme Court (judges appointed by the Provisional Government Council); Federal Court of Appeal (judges appointed by the federal government on the recommendation of the Advisory Judicial Committee)
RELIGIONS
50% Muslims, 40% Christians, 10% local beliefs
From the country
NIGERIA: BRIDE SENTENCED TO DEATH FOR KILLING HUSBAND NINE DAYS AFTER WEDDING IN KANO
- JULY 9, 2026NigeriaDEATH PENALTY
NIGERIA: LAGOS MAN GETS DEATH SENTENCE FOR MURDER OVER WOMAN DISPUTE
MARCH 30, 2026NigeriaDEATH PENALTYNIGERIA: KANO COURT SENTENCES TWO MEN TO DEATH FOR MURDER DURING ROBBERY
A High Court in Kano on March 3, 2026 sentenced two men to death by hanging for killing a newly married man during a robbery.
- MARCH 11, 2026NigeriaDEATH PENALTY
NIGERIA: OSUN COURT HANDS DEATH SENTENCE TO THREE FOR MURDER
An Osun State High Court sitting in Iwo on February 5, 2026 sentenced three men to death over the killing of a 52-year-old woman in the Ile-Ogbo area of the state.
MARCH 10, 2026NigeriaDEATH PENALTYNIGERIA: TWO MEN SENTENCED TO DEATH FOR KIDNAPPING, ARMED ROBBERY IN KWARA
Justice Ahmed Aliyu Gegele of the Kwara State High Court in Ilorin on March 5, 2026 sentenced two men to death by hanging for kidnapping and armed robbery, among other offences.
MARCH 6, 2026NigeriaDEATH PENALTYNIGERIA: BAUCHI COURT CONVICTS KIDNAPPERS, OTHERS TO DEATH, LIFE IMPRISONMENT
The Bauchi State High Courts have disposed of 51 criminal cases, resulting in the conviction of 64 offenders for various offences, including armed robbery, rape, kidnapping, conspiracy, culpable homicide and fraud.
MARCH 4, 2026NigeriaDEATH PENALTYNIGERIA: PASTOR TO DIE BY HANGING FOR KILLING A’IBOM LANDLORD
The Resident Pastor of Living Faith Church Chapel, Ifa Ikot Ubo –Ifa Ikot Okpon Branch, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Emmanuel Umoh, has been sentenced to death by hanging, Punch reported on February 21, 2026.
- JANUARY 21, 2026NigeriaDEATH PENALTY
NIGERIA: COURT HANDS DEATH PENALTY TO 33-YEAR-OLD FOR ROBBERY, SEXUAL ASSAULT IN CROSS RIVER
A High Court of Cross River State sitting in Calabar has sentenced a 33-year-old man, Okon Effiong, to death for armed robbery, rape and aggravated assault, The Guardian reported on January 21, 2026.
DECEMBER 23, 2025NigeriaDEATH PENALTYNIGERIA: S’COURT UPHOLDS MARYAM SANDA’S DEATH SENTENCE, OVERRULES TINUBU’S CLEMENCY
The Supreme Court on December 12, 2025 upheld the death sentence imposed on Maryam Sanda, daughter-in-law of a former National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, over the killing of her husband, Bilyamin Bello.
DECEMBER 23, 2025NigeriaDEATH PENALTYNIGERIA: ADAMAWA GOVERNOR PARDONS FARMER SENTENCED TO DEATH FOR KILLING HERDER
Adamawa State Governor Ahmadu Fintiri on December 23, 2025 granted a full pardon to Sunday Jackson, a farmer who was sentenced to death in 2019 for killing a herder during a confrontation on his farmland.
- OCTOBER 22, 2025NigeriaDEATH PENALTY
NIGERIA: 3 SENTENCED TO DEATH FOR KILLING FRIEND OVER LOAN
A Kano State High Court, sitting at Court No. 15, has sentenced three men to death by hanging after finding them guilty of murdering a carpenter, Abba Aminu Yalwa, Daily Trust reported on October 20, 2025.
OCTOBER 13, 2025NigeriaDEATH PENALTYNIGERIA: TINUBU GRANTS PRESIDENTIAL PARDON TO HERBERT MACAULAY, 174 OTHERS
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has granted presidential pardon and clemency to 175 persons.