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 23, 2025NigeriaDEATH PENALTYNIGERIA: S’COURT UPHOLDS MARYAM SANDA’S DEATH SENTENCE, OVERRULES TINUBU’S CLEMENCY
The Supreme Court on December 12, 2025 upheld the death sentence imposed on Maryam Sanda, daughter-in-law of a former National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, over the killing of her husband, Bilyamin Bello.
DECEMBER 23, 2025NigeriaDEATH PENALTYNIGERIA: ADAMAWA GOVERNOR PARDONS FARMER SENTENCED TO DEATH FOR KILLING HERDER
Adamawa State Governor Ahmadu Fintiri on December 23, 2025 granted a full pardon to Sunday Jackson, a farmer who was sentenced to death in 2019 for killing a herder during a confrontation on his farmland.
OCTOBER 22, 2025NigeriaDEATH PENALTYNIGERIA: 3 SENTENCED TO DEATH FOR KILLING FRIEND OVER LOAN
A Kano State High Court, sitting at Court No. 15, has sentenced three men to death by hanging after finding them guilty of murdering a carpenter, Abba Aminu Yalwa, Daily Trust reported on October 20, 2025.
OCTOBER 13, 2025NigeriaDEATH PENALTYNIGERIA: TINUBU GRANTS PRESIDENTIAL PARDON TO HERBERT MACAULAY, 174 OTHERS
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has granted presidential pardon and clemency to 175 persons.
- SEPTEMBER 28, 2025NigeriaDEATH PENALTY
NIGERIA: SOLDIER SENTENCED TO DEATH FOR MURDER, ARMED ROBBERY IN AKWA IBOM
Akwa Ibom State High Court sitting in Uyo on September 26, 2025 sentenced a dismissed soldier with the Nigerian Army, 6 Battalion, Ibagwa in Abak, Corporal Stephen Iweh, to death by hanging for the murder of a 42-year-old man, Christopher Enobong Jimmy.
- SEPTEMBER 21, 2025NigeriaDEATH PENALTY
NIGERIA: SOLDIER SENTENCED TO DEATH OVER MURDER
A General Court Martial of the Nigerian Army sitting at Maxwell Khobe Cantonment, Jos, Plateau State, has sentenced one Private Lukman Musa to death by hanging.
AUGUST 25, 2025NigeriaDEATH PENALTYNIGERIA: KWARA ISLAMIC CLERIC TO DIE BY HANGING FOR KILLING FACEBOOK LOVER
A Kwara State High Court sitting in Ilorin, the state capital, on July 31, 2025 sentenced Abdulrahman Bello to death by hanging for the murder of 24-year-old Hafsoh Yetunde Lawal, a final-year student of the Kwara State College of Education, Ilorin.
AUGUST 21, 2025NigeriaDEATH PENALTYNIGERIA: PRAWA BOSS CALLS FOR ABOLITION OF DEATH PENALTY
Dr Uju Agomoh, Executive Director, Prisoners’ Rehabilitation and Welfare Action (PRAWA), has renewed her call for the abolition of the death penalty in Nigeria.
JULY 14, 2025NigeriaDEATH PENALTYNIGERIA: FOUR SENTENCED TO DEATH FOR KILLING DRIVER
A Bayelsa State High Court sitting in Yenagoa has sentenced four men to death for the murder of a taxi driver, Mr Olarenwaju Ajayi, sometime in 2001.
JUNE 8, 2025NigeriaDEATH PENALTYNIGERIA: NIGER PARDONS 11 INMATES ON DEATH ROW
Governor Mohammed Bago of Niger State has granted unconditional state pardon to 11 convicted persons who were on death row.
MAY 14, 2025NigeriaDEATH PENALTYNIGERIA: COURT SENTENCES MAN TO DEATH FOR KILLING FRIEND IN FIGHT OVER CAP
A High Court in Kano has sentenced one Adamu Isma’ila Arzai to death by hanging for killing his friend during a fight over a cap, Daily Post reported on May 13, 2025.
MAY 8, 2025NigeriaDEATH PENALTYNIGERIA: BRT DRIVER SENTENCED TO DEATH FOR BAMISE’S MURDER
Justice Sherifat Sonaike of the Lagos State High Court on May 2, 2025 sentenced Bus Rapid Transit driver, Andrew Ominikoron, to death by hanging for the murder of 22-year-old Oluwabamise Ayanwola.