Nigeria
Death penalty and prisoners' rights · Archive since 1999
Data card
- Legal status
- Retentionist
- Executions recorded in 2026
- 0
- Executions recorded in 2025
- 0
- First news item in the archive
- JANUARY 1, 1999 · The death penalty is provided for by the Criminal Code...
- News items in the archive
- 1,117
Source: Hands Off Cain database, updated to 2026.
Nigeria is classified as Retentionist in the Hands Off Cain database, updated to 2026. In 2026 the association recorded 0 executions in the country, against 0 the year before. The archive holds 1,117 news items on Nigeria, from 1999 to today.
In Nigeria the death penalty is provided for by the penal code and, in the northern states applying sharia law, also for offences such as apostasy and adultery. The methods provided for are hanging and shooting.
Sentences are numerous and death row is crowded, while actual executions are rare and concentrated in short periods. The archive follows sentences, executions and commutations.
Latest news
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.
NOVEMBER 22, 2018NigeriaDEATH PENALTYNIGERIA: KILLERS OF BENUE CATHOLIC PRIEST SENTENCED TO DEATH
The two surviving member of a gang that kidnapped and killed a Catholic priest, Fr. John Adeyi in Benue, have been sentenced to death, Pulse reported on 20 November 2018.
- NOVEMBER 20, 2018NigeriaDEATH PENALTY
NIGERIA: MAN TO HANG FOR KILLING FATHER OVER N56,000
The Court of Appeal, Jos Division, on 13 November 2018 sentenced a middle-aged man, Jibril Idrisa, to death by hanging for killing his father over N56,000 being proceeds from the sale of guinea corn.
NOVEMBER 20, 2018NigeriaDEATH PENALTYNIGERIA: MAN TO HANG FOR KILLING FATHER OVER N56,000
The Court of Appeal, Jos Division, on 13 November 2018 sentenced a middle-aged man, Jibril Idrisa, to death by hanging for killing his father over N56,000 being proceeds from the sale of guinea corn.
OCTOBER 19, 2018NigeriaDEATH PENALTYNIGERIA: DELTA STATE GOVERNOR OKOWA CALLS FOR THE ABOLITION OF DEATH PENALTIES
Delta State Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa on 18 October 2018 called for the abolition of death sentence in Nigeria.
OCTOBER 8, 2018NigeriaDEATH PENALTYNIGERIA: COURT SENTENCE POLICE OFFICER TO DIE BY HANGING
A Bayelsa state High Court VII sitting in Yenagoa on 5 October 2018 sentenced Cpl. Vincent Olama to death by hanging for extrajudicial killing.
AUGUST 3, 2018NigeriaDEATH PENALTYNIGERIA: TWO SENTENCED TO DEATH BY FIRING SQUAD FOR KIDNAPPING, ARMED ROBBERY
A High Court sitting in Warri, Delta State has reportedly sentenced an HND student of Banking and Finance in Delta State Polytechnic, Collins Okoro to death by firing squad.
JULY 27, 2018NigeriaDEATH PENALTYNIGERIA: FOUR POLICEMEN TO DIE BY HANGING FOR MURDER
Four policemen were sentenced to death in Akwa Ibom State for killing a motorcyclist.
JULY 26, 2018NigeriaDEATH PENALTYNIGERIA: TWO GET DEATH SENTENCE FOR KILLING PRIEST IN MAKURDI
The Makurdi High Court has sentenced two persons to death for kidnapping and killing a former Vicar-General of Otukpo Catholic Diocese, Rev. John Alexander Adeyi.
JULY 24, 2018NigeriaDEATH PENALTYNIGERIA: MAN SENTENCED TO DEATH BY HANGING FOR KILLING LAWYER
A Sokoto State High Court sentenced a 37-year-old civil servant, Atiku Galadima to death by hanging for killing a lawyer, Sirajo Abubakar.
JULY 18, 2018NigeriaDEATH PENALTYNIGERIA: COURT-MARTIAL GIVES SOLDIERS DEATH SENTENCE, JAIL TERMS
A General Court-Martial (GCM) set up by the Nigerian Army has sentenced 13 soldiers to death and life imprisonment for offences ranging from manslaughter, murder, torture to assault and arson.
JULY 10, 2018NigeriaDEATH PENALTYNIGERIA: MAN TO DIE BY HANGING FOR KILLING SON OVER WITCHCRAFT IN A-IBOM
Akwa Ibom High Court sitting in Ikot Ekpene has sentenced a man to death by hanging for killing his 11-year-old son for allegedly casting spells on his business.
JULY 6, 2018NigeriaDEATH PENALTYNIGERIA: THREE DEATH SENTENCES UPHELD BY SUPREME COURT
The Supreme Court upheld the judgment of the Court of Appeal, which handed down a death sentence on three members of the Bakassi Boys vigilante group in 2006.
JUNE 13, 2018NigeriaDEATH PENALTYNIGERIA - 3 ENTENCES
FOR ARMED ROBBERY
JUNE 11, 2018NigeriaDEATH PENALTYNIGERIA: FIVE MEN SENTENCED TO DEATH FOR MURDER
Justice Abdul-Azeez Waziri of the Yola High Court sentenced five men to death by hanging
JUNE 7, 2018NigeriaDEATH PENALTYNIGERIA. JEREMIAH IDOWU SENTENCED TO DEATH
SENTENCED FOR ROBBERY
- APRIL 13, 2018NigeriaDEATH PENALTY
NIGERIA: POLICE OFFICER SENTENCED TO DEATH BY HANGING IN NASARAWA
The High Court in Lafia, Nasarawa State, presided over by Justice James Abundega sentenced a Police officer, Sergeant Vincent Manu, to death for unlawfully shooting and killing a businessman
- APRIL 4, 2018NigeriaDEATH PENALTY
NIGERIA: MAN SENTENCED TO DEATH FOR ARMED ROBBERY
A State High Court sitting in Ado-Ekiti has sentenced a man, Raji Babatunde, to death for armed robbery.
MARCH 29, 2018NigeriaDEATH PENALTYNIGERIA: DELTA STATE GOVERNOR COMMUTES 30 ON DEATH ROW TO LIFE SENTENCE
Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, Delta State governor, has approved the grant of total pardon to five inmates who were serving various prison terms and commuted 30 others on death row to life imprisonment.
MARCH 21, 2018NigeriaDEATH PENALTYNIGERIA: POLICE SERGEANT TO HANG FOR EXTRA-JUDICIAL KILLING
Justice Ineikade Eradiri of the Bayelsa State High Court in Yenagoa sentenced a police sergeant, Jilla Lannubo, to death by hanging for the extra-judicial killing of Oruyegha Grand at Agudama.