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 18, 2024NigeriaDEATH PENALTYNIGERIA: OSUN GOVERNOR ORDERS PROBE, CLEMENCY FOR MAN SENTENCED TO DEATH FOR STEALING FOWL
Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke has ordered an urgent review of the case involving a teenager sentenced to death for stealing a fowl.
- NOVEMBER 6, 2024NigeriaDEATH PENALTY
NIGERIA COURT FREES 119 PROTESTERS, SOME FACING DEATH PENALTY, AFTER GOVERNMENT DROPS CHARGES
A Nigerian court freed 119 people, including 30 minors, on November 5, 2024, after the authorities dropped charges against them arising from deadly protests in August against economic hardship.
- SEPTEMBER 30, 2024NigeriaDEATH PENALTY
NIGERIA: COURT SENTENCES 3 TO DEATH FOR MURDER OF ARMY COMMANDANT
The Oyo State High Court, sitting in Ibadan, on September 24, 2024, sentenced three persons to death by hanging for the murder of Col. Anthony Okeyin, the commandant of Nigeria Army Secondary School, Apata, Ibadan.
AUGUST 1, 2024NigeriaDEATH PENALTYNIGERIA: COURT SENTENCES 3 PERSONS TO DEATH FOR ARMED ROBBERY, MURDER IN OSUN STATE
A watchmaker, Oludayo Oladele, an electrician, Awodeji Muyiwa, and a herb seller, Jelili Kareem on July 9, 2024 were sentenced to death for robbing and killing a corps member, Adebayo Mukaila in Osogbo, Osun State capital.
JULY 25, 2024NigeriaDEATH PENALTYNIGERIA: DELTA COURT SENTENCES MAN TO DEATH FOR KILLING TWINS FOR RITUALS
A High Court sitting at Asaba, the Delta State capital, on July 16,2024 sentenced one Onuwa Ijie to death, and Nwanozie Uzor to 14 years imprisonment for murder and conspiracy to commit the murder of twin boys, Chidalu and Chigozie Agwunobi.
- JULY 17, 2024NigeriaDEATH PENALTY
NIGERIA: TWO TO DIE BY HANGING FOR MURDER, RAPE IN DELTA
A Delta State High Court sitting at Ibusa, Oshimili North Local Government Area on July 1st, 2024 sentenced two men, Mr Ojerbo Solomon and Mr Ola Babatunde, to death after eight years of trials.
- JULY 4, 2024NigeriaDEATH PENALTY
NIGERIA: FIVE TO DIE BY HANGING FOR HERDER’S KILLING IN OSUN
Five men standing trial for the abduction and murder of a Fulani herder, Ibrahim Adamu, who until his death was selling cows at Owode-Ede, Osun State, were on July 2, 2024 sentenced to death by hanging by an Osun State High Court.
JULY 1, 2024NigeriaDEATH PENALTYNIGERIA: SUPREME COURT FREES SOLDIER ON DEATH ROW AFTER 12 YEARS
The Supreme Court on June 28, 2024 discharged and acquitted a Nigerian Army Sergeant, Akawu Bala from the death sentence imposed on him by the General Court Martial of the Nigerian Army.
JUNE 20, 2024NigeriaDEATH PENALTYNIGERIA: COURT SENTENCES TWO TO DEATH IN JIGAWA
The Jigawa State High Court sitting in Birnin Kudu on June 14, 2024 sentenced two persons to death for conspiring and killing Yakubu Ibrahim and dumping his dead body by the roadside.
JUNE 15, 2024NigeriaDEATH PENALTYNIGERIA: FOUR TO DIE BY HANGING FOR ARMED ROBBERY, MURDER IN EKITI
An Ekiti State High Court, Ado Ekiti Division, on June 13, 2024 sentenced four persons to death by hanging for armed robbery, murder and conspiracy.
JUNE 13, 2024NigeriaDEATH PENALTYNIGERIA: PLATEAU, OGUN, KADUNA GOVS PARDON 164 PRISONERS
In commemoration of Democracy Day on June 12, 2024, the Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, granted pardon to 13 inmates serving various jail terms in the state.
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.