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 19, 2003NigeriaDEATH PENALTY
A Nigerian Islamic appeal court quashed the conviction...
A Nigerian Islamic appeal court quashed the conviction of Had Sarimu Mohammed, a 55-year-old peasant farmer who had been sentenced to be stoned to death for the rape of a nine-year-old girl
- AUGUST 13, 2003NigeriaDEATH PENALTY
The Emir of Gwandu, Alhaji Mustapha Haruna Jokolo,...
The Emir of Gwandu, Alhaji Mustapha Haruna Jokolo, said that any Muslim supporting the removal of capital punishment from the Nigerian constitution should regard himself as an infidel
- AUGUST 13, 2003NigeriaDEATH PENALTY
The chairman of the Katsina State chapter of Izala,...
The chairman of the Katsina State chapter of Izala, Sheik Yakubu Musa, declared that Muslims would resist any attempt to abrogate capital punishment in Nigeria, saying that doing so will be tantamount to tampering with Sharia law, the Islamic legal system
- AUGUST 13, 2003NigeriaDEATH PENALTY
Speaker of the Nigerian House of Representatives Aminu...
Speaker of the Nigerian House of Representatives Aminu Bello Masari said that no matter related to the abrogation of capital punishment in the country had ever been tabled before the House
- AUGUST 11, 2003NigeriaDEATH PENALTY
Kano State governor, Malam Ibrahim Shekarau condemned...
Kano State governor, Malam Ibrahim Shekarau condemned in strong terms the Federal Government's proposal to abolish capital punishment in Nigeria
- AUGUST 10, 2003NigeriaDEATH PENALTY
In an interview with Sunday Vanguard Abdul Oroh, journalist,...
In an interview with Sunday Vanguard Abdul Oroh, journalist, Nigerian parliamentarian and Hands Off Cain board member, stated: "I want to see a bill that will introduce a moratorium on death penalty in Nigeria, I don't believe in capital punishment
- AUGUST 4, 2003NigeriaDEATH PENALTY
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Alhaji Aminu...
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Alhaji Aminu Bello Masari, gave assurances that the National Assembly would support the abrogation of capital punishment from the nation's laws
- JULY 29, 2003NigeriaDEATH PENALTY
Marco Cappato, Lista Bonino MEP, together with Italian...
Marco Cappato, Lista Bonino MEP, together with Italian Ambassador Marcello Ricoveri and vice President of the Commission of Human Rights of the Nigerian Chamber of Deputies Hon
- JULY 28, 2003NigeriaDEATH PENALTY
Marco Cappato, Lista Bonino MEP, and Nigerian parliamentary...
Marco Cappato, Lista Bonino MEP, and Nigerian parliamentary Abdul Oroh, both Hands Off Cain board members, together with Marcello Ricoveri, Italian ambassador to Nigeria, met with Nigerian Foreign Minister Saisu Balarabe Samaila, on the purpose to obtain
- JULY 22, 2003NigeriaDEATH PENALTY
Human Rights Watch published a damning 32-page report...
Human Rights Watch published a damning 32-page report into the November 2002 violence, in the northern city of Kaduna, alleging that police and soldiers had shot indiscriminately during a riot which left 220 dead
- JULY 15, 2003NigeriaDEATH PENALTY
Amina Lawal, the Nigerian woman sentenced to death...
Amina Lawal, the Nigerian woman sentenced to death last year for adultery by a Sharia court in the state of Katsina, will not be stoned, Zamfara state Minister for Women and Children's Affairs, Amina Yusuf Garba, told the Italian daily Avvenire
- JUNE 4, 2003NigeriaDEATH PENALTY
The appeal hearing of two former lovers sentenced to...
The appeal hearing of two former lovers sentenced to death by stoning by an Islamic court in Nigeria was adjourned till June 2003