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
SEPTEMBER 27, 2019NigeriaDEATH PENALTYNIGERIA: FATHER, SON SENTENCED TO DEATH IN ZAMFARA
High court 3 in Gusau, Zamfara State on 26 September 2019 sentenced one Ibrahim Hamida of Gobirawa village in Tsafe Local Government Area of the state and his son, Ashiru Ibrahim, to death, for culpable homicide.
SEPTEMBER 23, 2019NigeriaDEATH PENALTYNIGERIA: MAN GETS DEATH SENTENCE FOR KILLING ONDO APC CHIEFTAIN
A 25-year-old man, David Seimiyengha, has been sentenced to death by an Ondo State High Court sitting in Akure, the state capital, for committing kidnapping and murder, punchng.com reported on 22 September 2019.
SEPTEMBER 12, 2019NigeriaDEATH PENALTYNIGERIA: 2 SENTENCED TO DEATH FOR ARMED ROBBERY
Two men, Emeka Alieze and Dada Ojo, have been sentence to death by an Akure High Court for their involvement in armed robbery, The Hope reported on 6 September 2019.
SEPTEMBER 11, 2019NigeriaDEATH PENALTYNIGERIA: 2,742 INMATES AWAITING EXECUTION
The controller general, Nigeria Correctional Service (NCS), Ahmed Jafa’aru on 5 September 2019 revealed that Nigeria now has 2,742 inmates on death row.
SEPTEMBER 6, 2019NigeriaDEATH PENALTYNIGERIA: ZAMFARA GOVERNOR PARDONS 150 INMATES, INCLUDING FIVE ON DEATH ROW
The governor of Zamfara State, Bello Matawallen, on 9 August 2019 granted amnesty to 150 inmates at the Gusau Maximum Security Prison.
SEPTEMBER 4, 2019NigeriaDEATH PENALTYNIGERIA: MAN SENTENCED TO DEATH FOR KILLING GIRLFRIEND IN ONDO
An Ondo State High Court, sitting in Akure, the state capital on 3 September 2019 sentenced a 26-year-old man, Saliu Oladayo to death by hanging, for killing his girlfriend, late Confidence Ebere.
- AUGUST 9, 2019NigeriaDEATH PENALTY
NIGERIA: COURT SENTENCES 2 TO DEATH BY HANGING FOR ROBBERY
Two men have been sentenced to death by hanging by a High Court sitting in Ado Ekiti for robbery and illegal possession of firearms, the Leadership reported on 8 August 2019.
AUGUST 8, 2019NigeriaDEATH PENALTYNIGERIA: NOTORIOUS SERIAL KILLER SENTENCED TO DEATH IN KANO
A notorious criminal and serial killer, Umar Yakubu, has been sentenced to death by a Kano State High Court, The Daily Post reported on 31 July 2019.
- JULY 30, 2019NigeriaDEATH PENALTY
NIGERIA: TRUCK DRIVER SENTENCED TO DEATH BY HANGING FOR CRUSHING MAN TO DEATH
An Abeokuta High Court on 26 July 2019 sentenced a truck driver, Monsuni Waidi, to death by hanging for killing a passenger.
- JULY 8, 2019NigeriaDEATH PENALTY
NIGERIA: 83-YEAR-OLD FATHER, SON AND COUSIN RELEASED AFTER 14 YEARS ON DEATH ROW FOR MURDER THEY DIDN’T COMMIT
For 14 years, an innocent family of three including an 86-year-old man had to wait in uncertainty and fear as they served a life sentence for a crime they never committed.
JULY 3, 2019NigeriaDEATH PENALTYNIGERIA: TARABA STATE ASSEMBLY ADOPTS DEATH PENALTY FOR KIDNAPPERS
The Taraba House of Assembly on 2 July 2019 amended the state Kidnapping and Abduction Prohibition Act 2010, to introduce death penalty and life imprisonment for offenders.
JUNE 18, 2019NigeriaDEATH PENALTYNIGERIA: MAN WRONGLY SENTENCED TO DEATH REGAINS FREEDOM AFTER 16 YEARS IN JAIL
Mr. Oyenye Obasi, a 33-year-old man who was convicted at the age of 17 in Ibadan, regained freedom through the prerogative of mercy granted by former Oyo State Governor Abiola Ajimobi at the tail end of his administration.