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 30, 2023NigeriaDEATH PENALTYNIGERIA: GOV. SANWO-OLU OF LAGOS STATE RELEASES 246 INMATES, COMMUTES 39 DEATH SENTENCE TO LIFE IMPRISONMENT
Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State has approved the release of 246 inmates from various correctional facilities across the state.
DECEMBER 26, 2023NigeriaDEATH PENALTYNIGERIA: COURT SENTENCES MAN TO DEATH BY HANGING FOR SETTING HIS MOTHER ABLAZE IN NIGER STATE
The Minna High Court presided over by the Chief Judge of Niger State, Justice Halima Ibrahim Abdulmalik, on December 13, 2023 sentenced Stephen Jiya to death by hanging for setting his biological mother ablaze which resulted in her death.
DECEMBER 11, 2023NigeriaDEATH PENALTYNIGERIA: MAN SENTENCED TO DEATH IN ZAMFARA FOR KILLING FRIEND OVER N100
A Zamfara State High Court on December 7, 2023 sentenced one Anas Dahiru to death by hanging for killing his friend.
DECEMBER 10, 2023NigeriaDEATH PENALTYNIGERIA: FOUR SENTENCED TO DEATH OVER MOTORCYCLE THEFT IN EKITI
Four persons, Segun Friday, Tijani Semiu Seun, Ogunyemi Segun Olarewaju, and Adebayo Tope, found guilty of stealing a motorcycle have been sentenced to death by the Ekiti State High Court, sitting in Ado-Ekiti, Tori.ng reported on Devember 7, 2023.
NOVEMBER 29, 2023NigeriaDEATH PENALTYNIGERIA: MAN SENTENCED TO DEATH IN ONDO STATE FOR HACKING BRICKLAYER TO DEATH
A middle-aged man, Joseph Abayomi, was sentenced to death on November 27, 2023 in Ondo State for hacking his neighbor, Thomas Oluwole, to death.
NOVEMBER 29, 2023NigeriaDEATH PENALTYNIGERIA: NCOS BLAMES GOVERNORS FOR 5,000 INMATES AWAITING HANGMAN’S NOOSE FOR DECADES
At an Access to Justice in Nigeria parley, the Nigeria Correctional Service on November 7, 2023 raised issues over 5,000 inmates who have been sentenced to death by hanging but have waited for decades without their sentences being carried out.
NOVEMBER 27, 2023NigeriaDEATH PENALTYNIGERIA: COURT SENTENCES MAN TO DEATH FOR KILLING SEVEN DSS OFFICERS IN 2015
An Ikeja high court on November 21, 2023 sentenced two men over the death of seven officers of the Department of State Services (DSS).
NOVEMBER 9, 2023NigeriaDEATH PENALTYNIGERIA: COURT SENTENCES FIVE MEN TO DEATH BY HANGING
The Benue State High Court in Makurdi, on November 8, 2023 sentenced five men to death by hanging for culpable homicide.
- NOVEMBER 5, 2023NigeriaDEATH PENALTY
NIGERIA: FATHER OF 7 SENTENCED TO DEATH BY HANGING FOR KIDNAPPING IN AKWA IBOM
One Pius Udo Ben, a father of seven from Ikot Use Ekong in Eket Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, has been sentenced to death for kidnapping a four year old boy who has not been found till date, Daily Post reported on November 1st 2023.
OCTOBER 16, 2023NigeriaDEATH PENALTYNIGERIA: OVER 3,000 PRISONERS ON DEATH ROW AMID CALLS TO ABOLISH CAPITAL PUNISHMENT
Members of the international community on October 10, 2023 urged again Nigeria to abolish the death penalty.
OCTOBER 9, 2023NigeriaDEATH PENALTYNIGERIA: POLICE OFFICER SENTENCED TO DEATH FOR SHOOTING LAWYER DEAD
A Nigerian court on October 9, 2023 sentenced to death a police officer convicted of shooting dead a pregnant female lawyer on Christmas Day in 2022.
OCTOBER 5, 2023NigeriaDEATH PENALTYNIGERIA: COURT SENTENCES TWO BROTHERS TO DEATH FOR MURDER IN AKWA IBOM
Akwa Ibom State High Court sitting in Essien Udim has sentenced two brothers to death for killing a farmer over a parcel of land, Daily Post reported on October 4, 2023.