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
JUNE 5, 2024NigeriaDEATH PENALTYNIGERIA: WOMAN TO DIE BY HANGING FOR MURDERING EX-HUSBAND
A High Court in Birnin Kebbi on June 3, 2024 sentenced a woman, Farida Abubakar, to death by hanging for killing her former husband, Chief Magistrate Attahiru Muhammad-Ibrahim.
MAY 28, 2024NigeriaDEATH PENALTYNIGERIA: TWO TO DIE BY HANGING FOR STEALING N105,000, PHONES, OTHERS IN EKITI
An Ekiti State High Court, Ado Ekiti division, on May 23, 2024 sentenced two persons, Benjamin Joseph (32), and Stephen Orban (25), to death by hanging for robbing two persons of cash and valuable items.
MAY 16, 2024NigeriaDEATH PENALTYNIGERIA: SHARIA COURT SENTENCES BAUCHI MAN TO DEATH BY STONING FOR HOMOSEXUALITY
A middle-aged man, Abdullahi Sani from Unguwar Makara Huta, on May 10, 2024 was sentenced to death by stoning by a Sharia Court in Ningi, the headquarters of Ningi Local Government Area of Bauchi State, for alleged homosexuality.
MAY 11, 2024NigeriaDEATH PENALTYNIGERIA: SENATE PROPOSES DEATH PENALTY FOR DRUG TRAFFICKING
Nigeria's Senate on May 9, 2024 proposed significantly toughening penalties for drug trafficking, making the death penalty the new maximum sentence through a law amendment.
- MAY 7, 2024NigeriaDEATH PENALTY
NIGERIA: COURT SENTENCES THREE TO DEATH FOR ARMED ROBBERY IN EKITI
An Ekiti State High Court, Ado Ekiti Division, has sentenced three persons, Oyebanji Sola, Jimoh Azeez and Ogunlade Babatunde, to death by hanging for armed robbery.
APRIL 23, 2024NigeriaDEATH PENALTYNIGERIA: OSUN COURT SENTENCES TWO SERIAL ROBBERS TO DEATH BY HANGING
An Osun State High Court sitting in Osogbo, on April 18, 2024 sentenced Wasiu Afolayan (36) and Kola Adeyemi (34), to death by hanging for offences bordering on conspiracy and armed robbery.
APRIL 16, 2024NigeriaDEATH PENALTYNIGERIA: CHINESE MAN SENTENCED TO DEATH FOR KILLING HIS GIRLFRIEND
A Nigerian court on March 26, 2024 sentenced a Chinese national to death after finding him guilty of killing his girlfriend, a government official told The Associated Press, vowing to recommend execution if he unsuccessfully appeals the ruling.
- APRIL 14, 2024NigeriaDEATH PENALTY
NIGERIA: FIVE SENTENCED TO DEATH FOR MURDERING RIVERS VIGILANTE COMMANDER
A Rivers State High Court sitting in Port Harcourt, on March 18, 2024, convicted and sentenced five people to death by hanging for the murder of Umezuruike Alex, the commander of a local vigilante codenamed OSPAC (Onelga Security Peace and Advisory Commit
APRIL 3, 2024NigeriaDEATH PENALTYNIGERIA: TARABA CJ SENTENCES TWO TO DEATH FOR KIDNAPPING
Taraba state chief judge, Justice Joel Agya, on March 8, 2024, sentenced one Yusufa Adamu and Adamu Abdullahi to death by hanging for kidnapping Balkisu Kambe and Maryam Musa.
- MARCH 13, 2024NigeriaDEATH PENALTY
NIGERIA: EKITI STATE HIGH COURT SENTENCES MAN TO DEATH FOR ARMED ROBBERY
The Ekiti State High Court has handed down a death sentence to 30-year-old Bello Abduquadri, convicted of armed robbery, Bnnbreaking reported on March 11, 2024.
FEBRUARY 14, 2024NigeriaDEATH PENALTYNIGERIA: COURT SENTENCES KILLER OF ENUGU-BASED MAKEUP ARTIST TO DEATH
An Enugu State High Court on February 7, 2024 sentenced Chiamaka Ifezue to death by hanging for killing an Enugu-based makeup artist, Ijeoma Nweke.
- FEBRUARY 6, 2024NigeriaDEATH PENALTY
NIGERIA: FIVE VIGILANTE MEMBERS SENTENCED TO DEATH BY HANGING FOR KILLING TEENAGER
The Kano State High Court on January 25, 2024 sentenced five vigilante members to death by hanging for stabbing one Ahmed Musa,17, to death.