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
FEBRUARY 10, 2021NigeriaDEATH PENALTYNIGERIA: 40-YEAR-OLD MAN SENTENCED TO DEATH OVER ARMED ROBBERY
Akwa Ibom State High Court on 8 February 2021 sentenced a 40-year-old man, Kufre Christopher Archibong, to death by hanging for armed robbery.
FEBRUARY 4, 2021NigeriaDEATH PENALTYNIGERIA: MAN SENTENCED TO DEATH BY HANGING FOR ARMED ROBBERY
An Abeokuta High Court on 3 February 2021 sentenced a 33-year-old man, Ibrahim Toyin, to death by hanging for robbing a woman of her handbag at gunpoint.
FEBRUARY 1, 2021NigeriaDEATH PENALTYNIGERIA: KEBBI STATE APPROVES DEATH SENTENCE FOR KIDNAPPERS
Kebbi State governor Abubakar Atiku Bagudu on 28 January 2021 signed a law that prescribes the death penalty for convicted kidnappers.
JANUARY 23, 2021NigeriaDEATH PENALTYNIGERIA: COURT SETS ASIDE DEATH SENTENCE IMPOSED ON KANO SINGER OVER BLASPHEMY
A Kano state high court (appeal division) has set aside the death sentence imposed on Yahya Sharif Aminu, a Kano-based singer, convicted for blasphemy.
JANUARY 13, 2021NigeriaDEATH PENALTYNIGERIA: SOLDIER TO DIE BY FIRING SQUAD
A Nigeria Army General Court Martial on 12 January 2021 sentenced a soldier, Azunna Mmaduabuchi, to death by firing squad for killing an officer.
JANUARY 4, 2021NigeriaDEATH PENALTYNIGERIA: KADUNA GOV EL-RUFAI PARDONS 12 PRISONERS, COMMUTES A DEATH SENTENCE
Governor Nasir El Rufai of Kaduna State has granted pardon to 12 prisoners in the state to mark the beginning of 2021.
JANUARY 2, 2021NigeriaDEATH PENALTYNIGERIA: JIGAWA HIGH COURT SENTENCES TWO TO DEATH BY HANGING
Jigawa State High Court on 29 December 2020 sentenced two persons to death by hanging in different cases.