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
- JULY 23, 1999NigeriaDEATH PENALTY
On July 23, a Nigerian national, identified as Idriss...
On July 23, a Nigerian national, identified as Idriss Aissa Muhammad, was beheaded in Jeddah Governorate, Mecca region of Saudi Arabia, after being found guilty of smuggling an unspecified quantity of heroin into the Kingdom
- JULY 22, 1999NigeriaDEATH PENALTY
Nigeria signed the letter, dated 22 July 1999, addressed...
Nigeria signed the letter, dated 22 July 1999, addressed to the President of the Economic and Social Council, in which the retentionist countries dissociated from the Commission on Human Rights resolution 1999/61 on the question of the death penalty
- JULY 16, 1999NigeriaDEATH PENALTY
On July 16, a Nigerian woman named Aisha Saada Qassem,...
On July 16, a Nigerian woman named Aisha Saada Qassem, convicted of smuggling cocaine and heroin, was executed in Saudi Arabia
- JUNE 25, 1999NigeriaDEATH PENALTY
On June 25, the Federal Court of Malaysia unanimously...
On June 25, the Federal Court of Malaysia unanimously affirmed the conviction of three Nigerians - Johnson Oshodi, 34, civil servant Tunde Apatira, 37, and businessman Oladotun Lukmanu Umaru, 37 - sentenced to death for trafficking in heroin 9 years ago
- JUNE 20, 1999NigeriaDEATH PENALTY
On June 20, a Nigerian named Abdullah Ibrahim Mohammed...
On June 20, a Nigerian named Abdullah Ibrahim Mohammed was executed in Saudi Arabia for armed robbery
- JUNE 1, 1999NigeriaDEATH PENALTY
In June, President Olusegun Obasanjo formed a 7-man...
In June, President Olusegun Obasanjo formed a 7-man panel, chaired by a retired Supreme Court Judge, Chukwudifu Oputa, to investigate abuses committed between 1994 and 1999 when thousands of perceived military opponents were either harassed, detained, jai
- APRIL 30, 1999NigeriaDEATH PENALTY
On April 30, Nigerian Al-Hassan Moussa Shahib was executed...
On April 30, Nigerian Al-Hassan Moussa Shahib was executed in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, for smuggling cocaine into the Kingdom
- APRIL 29, 1999NigeriaDEATH PENALTY
On April 29, the Commonwealth foreign ministers in...
On April 29, the Commonwealth foreign ministers in London adopted a recommendation to end the Nigeria's suspension from the 54-nation grouping of mainly former British colonies
- APRIL 28, 1999NigeriaDEATH PENALTY
On May 28, a Nigerian woman was beheaded in Mecca,...
On May 28, a Nigerian woman was beheaded in Mecca, Saudi Arabia for smuggling cocaine and heroin
- FEBRUARY 27, 1999NigeriaDEATH PENALTY
On February 27, former military ruler General Olusegun...
On February 27, former military ruler General Olusegun Obasanjo won the presidential elections that brought a democratic transition much closer
- JANUARY 1, 1999NigeriaDEATH PENALTY
The death penalty is provided for by the Criminal Code...
The death penalty is provided for by the Criminal Code and the legislation on civil disturbances for armed robbery, murder, treason, and offenses against the State
- JANUARY 1, 1999NigeriaDEATH PENALTY
Since coming to power, President Obasanjo has ordered...
Since coming to power, President Obasanjo has ordered the release of thousands of people held for more than two years while awaiting trial