Nigeria
2026
STATUSRetentionist
EXECUTIONS 20260
SENTENCES24
- 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 6, 2025NigeriaDEATH PENALTYNIGERIA: FIVE SENTENCED TO DEATH OVER 'WITCHCRAFT' MURDER
Five men have been sentenced to death by hanging in Nigeria's Kano state for the 2023 murder of a woman they accused of witchcraft, BBC News reported on February 4, 2025.
- JANUARY 30, 2025NigeriaDEATH PENALTY
NIGERIA: 22-YEAR-OLD JAMIU SENTENCED TO DEATH BY HANGING FOR KILLING SEX WORKER
An Abeokuta High Court on January 22, 2025 sentenced 22-year-old Jamiu Malomo to death by hanging for stabbing a sex worker to death.
JANUARY 28, 2025NigeriaDEATH PENALTYNIGERIA: MAN SENTENCED TO DEATH FOR STABBING FRIEND OVER PHONE CHARGER
A High Court in Bauchi State has sentenced Usman Abdullahi to death by hanging for the murder of Zaidu Adamu Kofar Dumi.