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
JANUARY 25, 2019NigeriaDEATH PENALTYNIGERIA: MAN TO DIE BY HANGING FOR MURDER
Lagos Igbosere High Court on 22 January 2019 sentenced a man, Ibrahim Tijani, to death by hanging, for killing his neighbour with a machete, during a quarrel over generator fumes.
JANUARY 18, 2019NigeriaDEATH PENALTYNIGERIA: EIGHT PEOPLE SENTENCED TO DEATH BY HANGING ATTACK JOURNALISTS IN ADAMAWA COURT
Some journalists were on 17 January 2019 attacked by eight people condemned to death by hanging by a Yola High Cour.
JANUARY 17, 2019NigeriaDEATH PENALTYNIGERIA: 5 TO HANG OVER OSUN ROBBERY
Five men - Ifedayo Adebiyi, Semiu Taofeek, Afolabi Ogunwale, Oyeleke Mukaila and Ogunbayo Joshua – on 14 January 2019 were convicted by the Osun State High Court sitting in Iwo and sentenced to death by hanging.
JANUARY 16, 2019NigeriaDEATH PENALTYNIGERIA: 22-YEAR-OLD TO BE HANGED IN EKITI FOR ARMED ROBBERY
An Ado-Ekiti high court on 9 January 2019 sentenced one Alonge Ajayi, 22, to death by hanging for armed robbery.
JANUARY 15, 2019NigeriaDEATH PENALTYNIGERIA: TWO SENTENCED TO DEATH IN ONDO FOR ARMED ROBBERY
An Ondo State High Court sitting in Olokuta, Akure, the state capital, has sentenced two persons, Tobechukwu Aguonu and Uche Igwe, to death by hanging after finding them guilty of armed robbery, Punchng reported on 5 January 2019.
JANUARY 7, 2019NigeriaDEATH PENALTYNIGERIA: AKEREDOLU COMMUTES DEATH SENTENCE OF 3 INMATES TO LIFE IMPRISONMENT, PARDONS 12
Ondo State Governor Rotimi Akeredolu on 31 December 2018 commuted the death sentence of three prison inmates to life imprisonment, while he granted pardon to 12 others as part of activities to mark the New Year celebration.
- JANUARY 1, 2019NigeriaDEATH PENALTY
Death sentences are mandatory for murder but also non lethal offences
Death sentences are mandatory for murder but also non lethal offences
- DECEMBER 19, 2018NigeriaDEATH PENALTY
NIGERIA: MAN SENTENCED TO DEATH FORM MURDERING FAMILY MEMBER
A Plateau High Court sitting in Jos on 13 December 2018 sentenced 24-year-old man, Binfa Lamde, to death-by-hanging for hacking his stepmother to death.
DECEMBER 12, 2018NigeriaDEATH PENALTYNIGERIA: WIFE OF TRADITIONAL RULER SENTENCED TO DIE BY HANGING IN NASARAWA
The Nasarawa State High Court sitting in Lafia on 11 December 2018 sentenced Amina Zubairu, wife of the late monarch to death by hanging for killing her husband, NAN reports.
- DECEMBER 3, 2018NigeriaDEATH PENALTY
NIGERIA: AREGBESOLA PARDONS FOUR DEATH ROW PRISONERS, TWO OTHERS
The immediate past governor of Osun State, Mr. Rauf Aregbesola, pardoned four inmates on death row and commuted the sentences of two others on death row to 10 years, in one of his last duties in office, punchng.com reported on 29 November 2018.
NOVEMBER 27, 2018NigeriaDEATH PENALTYNIGERIA: MAN TO DIE BY HANGING FOR BEATING MOTHER TO DEATH
A Plateau High Court, sitting in Jos, on 26 November 2018 sentenced 24-year-old Godwin Banchir, to death by hanging for beating his 65-year-old mother to death for not responding to his greetings.
NOVEMBER 27, 2018NigeriaDEATH PENALTYNIGERIA: MAN SENTENCED TO DEATH BY HANGING IN ZARIA
A Kaduna State High Court sitting in Zaria has sentenced one Abdullahi Ibrahim to death by hanging, Daily Post reported on 22 November 2018.