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
JULY 13, 2021NigeriaDEATH PENALTYNIGERIA: 24-YEAR-OLD SENTENCED TO DEATH FOR STEALING PHONES, CASH IN EKITI
An Ekiti State High Court on 29 June 2021 sentenced a 24-year-old man, Sola Jegede, to death by hanging for robbing three men of their phones and money.
JULY 7, 2021NigeriaDEATH PENALTYNIGERIA: KIDNAPPER SENTENCED TO DEATH IN BAYELSA
An Ogbia High Court sitting in Yenagoa on 28 June 2021 sentenced to death by firing squad a 39-year old man, Charles Nikson, for his involvement in the November 2020 thwarted abduction of Mrs. Vivian Okoye.
JUNE 19, 2021NigeriaDEATH PENALTYNIGERIA: 22-YEAR-OLD MAN SENTENCED TO DEATH OVER ARMED ROBBERY IN EKITI
A High Court in Ado Ekiti on 17 June 2021 sentenced a 22-year-old man, Kehinde Olajide, to death by hanging for armed robbery.
APRIL 21, 2021NigeriaDEATH PENALTYNIGERIA: DETAINED WITHOUT CHARGES, RENOWNED ATHEIST STILL IN PRISON
The self-proclaimed atheist Mubarak Bala is still in detention in northern Nigeria after he was arrested by the police and taken to an unknown destination, according to his family and human rights organizations, Afp reported on 20 April 2021.
FEBRUARY 25, 2021NigeriaDEATH PENALTYNIGERIA: JIGAWA STATE GOVERNOR SIGNS LAW APPROVING DEATH SENTENCE FOR RAPISTS
The Governor of Jigawa State, Muhammad Badaru, on 24 February 2021 assented to a bill stipulating stiffer punishment for rapists.
FEBRUARY 16, 2021NigeriaDEATH PENALTYNIGERIA: DISMISSED SARS OFFICER SENTENCED TO DEATH OVER EXTRA-JUDICIAL KILLING
A State High Court in Benin City, Edo Sate, on 12 February 2021, sentenced a police constable, Joseph Omotosho, to death for conspiring with four other constables, said to be at large, to kill a car dealer in 2015.
- FEBRUARY 10, 2021NigeriaDEATH PENALTY
NIGERIA: 40-YEAR-OLD MAN SENTENCED TO DEATH OVER ARMED ROBBERY
Akwa Ibom State High Court on 8 February 2021 sentenced a 40-year-old man, Kufre Christopher Archibong, to death by hanging for armed robbery.
FEBRUARY 4, 2021NigeriaDEATH PENALTYNIGERIA: MAN SENTENCED TO DEATH BY HANGING FOR ARMED ROBBERY
An Abeokuta High Court on 3 February 2021 sentenced a 33-year-old man, Ibrahim Toyin, to death by hanging for robbing a woman of her handbag at gunpoint.
FEBRUARY 1, 2021NigeriaDEATH PENALTYNIGERIA: KEBBI STATE APPROVES DEATH SENTENCE FOR KIDNAPPERS
Kebbi State governor Abubakar Atiku Bagudu on 28 January 2021 signed a law that prescribes the death penalty for convicted kidnappers.
JANUARY 23, 2021NigeriaDEATH PENALTYNIGERIA: COURT SETS ASIDE DEATH SENTENCE IMPOSED ON KANO SINGER OVER BLASPHEMY
A Kano state high court (appeal division) has set aside the death sentence imposed on Yahya Sharif Aminu, a Kano-based singer, convicted for blasphemy.
JANUARY 13, 2021NigeriaDEATH PENALTYNIGERIA: SOLDIER TO DIE BY FIRING SQUAD
A Nigeria Army General Court Martial on 12 January 2021 sentenced a soldier, Azunna Mmaduabuchi, to death by firing squad for killing an officer.
JANUARY 4, 2021NigeriaDEATH PENALTYNIGERIA: KADUNA GOV EL-RUFAI PARDONS 12 PRISONERS, COMMUTES A DEATH SENTENCE
Governor Nasir El Rufai of Kaduna State has granted pardon to 12 prisoners in the state to mark the beginning of 2021.