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
- DECEMBER 18, 2022NigeriaDEATH PENALTY
NIGERIA: KANO CLERIC SHEIKH KABARA SENTENCED TO DEATH FOR BLASPHEMY
An Islamic cleric, Sheikh Abduljabbar Kabara, was on 15 December 2022 sentenced to death by hanging by an Upper Shari’a Court sitting at Kofar Kudu in Kano State for alleged blasphemy.
DECEMBER 13, 2022NigeriaDEATH PENALTYNIGERIA: THREE SENTENCED TO DEATH OVER RAPE, MURDER OF UNILORIN STUDENT
Justice Ibrahim Yusuf of Kwara State High Court on 13 December 2022 sentenced three persons to death by hanging over the rape and murder of a 300-level undergraduate of the University of Ilorin (UNILORIN), Omowumi Olajide.
DECEMBER 5, 2022NigeriaDEATH PENALTYNIGERIA: CULTIST SENTENCED TO DEATH BY HANGING IN EKITI
An Ekiti State High Court, sitting in Ado Ekiti, has sentenced one Segun Iwaetan, to death by hanging for being a cultist and raping a 20-year-old virgin, Daily Post reported on 5 December 2022.
OCTOBER 18, 2022NigeriaDEATH PENALTYNIGERIA: TWO MEN SENTENCED TO DEATH FOR KILLING THEIR FRIEND AND STEALING HIS CAR IN OGUN
A High Court sitting in Abeokuta, Ogun state, on October 14, 2022 sentenced two men, John Inyere and Chibuike Ukwa, to death by hanging for armed robbery and murder of their friend Chidi Nwite.
SEPTEMBER 29, 2022NigeriaDEATH PENALTYNIGERIA: ZAMFARA GOVERNOR MATAWALLE, ‘BANDITS DESERVE DEATH PENALTY’
Bello Matawalle, governor of Zamfara, has justified the death penalty approved for anyone convicted of banditry, kidnapping, cattle rustling, or cultism in the state.
SEPTEMBER 26, 2022NigeriaDEATH PENALTYNIGERIA: MAN SENTENCED TO DEATH FOR RAPING AND KILLING A JOB-SEEKER
Akwa Ibom State High Court, sitting in Uyo, on 4 August 2022 sentenced to death Uduak-Abasi Akpan for the murder of jobseeker Iniubong Umoren.
SEPTEMBER 14, 2022NigeriaDEATH PENALTYNIGERIA: PASTOR, 1 OTHER SENTENCED TO DEATH FOR KILLING BOY, BURYING HEAD ON ALTAR
An Ikeja Special Offences Court on 9 August 2022 sentenced one Pastor Erinmole Adetokunbo and one Adedoyin Oyekanmi to death for killing a seven-year-old boy for ritual.
SEPTEMBER 13, 2022NigeriaDEATH PENALTYNIGERIA: POPULAR TRADITIONAL WRESTLER TO DIE BY HANGING AFTER POUNDING WIFE TO DEATH
A high court sitting in Adamawa state on 16 August 2022 convicted and sentenced popular traditional wrestler, Thankyou Grim, to death by hanging for using pestle to kill his wife in 2018 in Adamawa State.
SEPTEMBER 7, 2022NigeriaDEATH PENALTYNIGERIA: 82-YEAR-OLD MAN WITH 12 WIVES, 60 CHILDREN SENTENCED TO DEATH IN AKWA IBOM
An 82-year-old Village Head of Efen Ibom, Ika Local Government Area Akwa Ibom State, Chief Essien Matthew Odiong has been sentenced to death by hanging for murder, Idomavoice reported on 13 August 2022.
AUGUST 4, 2022NigeriaDEATH PENALTYNIGERIA: TWO SENTENCED TO DEATH FOR ARMED ROBBERY
An Ekiti State High Court, Ado Ekiti Division, on 1st August 2022, sentenced two kidnappers, 41 years old Kola Makinde, and 30 years old Haruna Bika, to death by hanging for armed robbery.
AUGUST 1, 2022NigeriaDEATH PENALTYNIGERIA: COURT SENTENCES 4 TO DEATH OVER MURDER OF EKITI CHIEF
An Ekiti State High Court, Ado Ekiti Division, has sentenced four men to death by hanging over the murder of a traditional chief, Punch reported on 26 July 2022.
JULY 28, 2022NigeriaDEATH PENALTYNIGERIA: 3 SENTENCED TO DEATH IN NIGER STATE FOR CULPABLE HOMICIDE
A Minna High Court in Niger State has sentenced three men, Mohammed Ibrahim Soja, Sani Idris Boka and Babangida Gido, to death by hanging after they were found guilty of a 10-count charge bordering on culpable homicide, the Daily Trust reported on 25 July