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
- AUGUST 27, 2002NigeriaDEATH PENALTY
Local authorities said that Sarimu Mohammed, 50, convicted...
Local authorities said that Sarimu Mohammed, 50, convicted by a sharia court in northern Nigeria for raping a nine-year old girl will be stoned to death after he made no attempt to appeal the sentence
- AUGUST 26, 2002NigeriaDEATH PENALTY
A High Court judge sentenced Chinedu Uzoma for murdering...
A High Court judge sentenced Chinedu Uzoma for murdering a government official with a cutlass
- AUGUST 26, 2002NigeriaDEATH PENALTY
President Olusegun Obasanjo expressed sympathy for...
President Olusegun Obasanjo expressed sympathy for Amina Lawal, the single mother condemned to death by stoning, but made no firm offer to help her escape the sentence
- AUGUST 26, 2002NigeriaDEATH PENALTY
A notice of appeal on behalf of Malama Amina Lawan...
A notice of appeal on behalf of Malama Amina Lawan was filed at the Sharia Court of Appeal by her lead counsel, Barrister A
- AUGUST 26, 2002NigeriaDEATH PENALTY
An Upper Sharia Court in Niger State condemned to death...
An Upper Sharia Court in Niger State condemned to death two lovers for adultery
- AUGUST 24, 2002NigeriaDEATH PENALTY
Malawi President Bakili Muluzi has urged the Nigerian...
Malawi President Bakili Muluzi has urged the Nigerian government to pardon Amina Lawal Kurami, a woman sentenced to death by stoning having a child outside of wedlock
- AUGUST 22, 2002NigeriaDEATH PENALTY
Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer said his...
Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer said his country would be outraged if a Nigerian woman was stoned to death as sentenced by a Sharia court
- AUGUST 21, 2002NigeriaDEATH PENALTY
The New Zealand National Party called on the Government...
The New Zealand National Party called on the Government to cut $50,000 foreign aid to Nigeria, after the death sentence was handed out to Amina Lawal Kurami for having a child outside marriage
- AUGUST 21, 2002NigeriaDEATH PENALTY
An unmarried pregnant Nigerian woman, desperate not...
An unmarried pregnant Nigerian woman, desperate not to go home after a court ruling that a women is to face death by stoning for having a child out of wedlock, won temporary refuge in Cyprus, officials said
- AUGUST 21, 2002NigeriaDEATH PENALTY
The All African Global media reported that various...
The All African Global media reported that various rights groups in Nigeria had mobilised in defence of Amina Lawal Kurami, sentenced to death for having sex outside of marriage
- AUGUST 20, 2002NigeriaDEATH PENALTY
In a statement regarding the sentencing to death by...
In a statement regarding the sentencing to death by stoning for adultery of Amina Lawal Kurami, executive director of the Women's Rights Division of Human Rights Watch, LaShawn R Jefferson said: "The legal system is being used to punish adult women for co
- AUGUST 20, 2002NigeriaDEATH PENALTY
The European Commission, the executive arm of the European...
The European Commission, the executive arm of the European Union (EU), said it was concerned over a Nigerian court ruling that a 31-year-old woman, Amina Lawal Kurami must face death by stoning for having a child out of wedlock