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
FEBRUARY 23, 2018NigeriaDEATH PENALTYNIGERIA: COURT SENTENCES LEADER OF LAND GRAB GANG TO DEATH BY HANGING
A Kogi High Court sitting in Lokoja has sentenced the leader of a six-man gang, Mohammed Audu, to death by hanging for stabbing one Hussein Isa to death over a land dispute.
FEBRUARY 2, 2018NigeriaDEATH PENALTYNIGERIA: 2,277 INMATES AWAIT EXECUTION
There are indications that the number of prison inmates awaiting execution across the country has hit 2,277, according to findings by New Telegraph.
JANUARY 11, 2018NigeriaDEATH PENALTYNIGERIA: KILLERS OF KACHIKWU’S UNCLE SENTENCED TO DEATH
The killers of Diokpa Felix Boise, the 75- year- old uncle of Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr. Ibe Kachukwu have been sentenced to death by a Delta State High Court.
JANUARY 9, 2018NigeriaDEATH PENALTYNIGERIA: MAN SENTENCED TO DEATH FOR ARMED ROBBERY
A Lagos High Court sitting in Ikeja, sentenced one Mutiu Oyedeji to death by hanging after he was found guilty of armed robbery.
- JANUARY 1, 2018NigeriaDEATH PENALTY
Death sentences are mandatory for murder but also non lethal offences
Death sentences are mandatory for murder but also non lethal offences
- NOVEMBER 9, 2017NigeriaDEATH PENALTY
NIGERIA: TWO SENTENCED TO DEATH FOR STEALING HANDBAG, PHONE IN ANAMBRA
The High Court sitting at Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra state, has sentenced two to death for stealing a lady’s handbag, telephone and other personal items at gunpoint.
NOVEMBER 7, 2017NigeriaDEATH PENALTYNIGERIA: EKITI ASSEMBLY APPROVES DEATH PENALTY FOR CULTISTS
OCTOBER 19, 2017NigeriaDEATH PENALTYNIGERIA: MAN SENTENCED TO DEATH FOR ROBBERY IN EKITI
An Ekiti State High Court sitting in Ado-Ekiti sentenced a man, Aanu Adu, to death by hanging for armed robbery.
OCTOBER 3, 2017NigeriaDEATH PENALTYNIGERIA: EIGHT DEATH-ROW INMATES COMMUTED TO LIFE IMPRISONMENT IN ANAMBRA
Anambra state governor, Chief Willie Obiano has commuted eight death row inmates to life imprisonment and granted prerogative of mercy to others who are serving various jail terms.
SEPTEMBER 28, 2017NigeriaDEATH PENALTYNIGERIA: SENATE APPROVES DEATH PENALTY FOR KIDNAPPERS
The Nigerian Senate approved death sentence for whoever engages in the act of kidnapping and a 30 years jail term for anybody that colludes with an abductor.
JULY 19, 2017NigeriaDEATH PENALTYNIGERIA: MAN SENTENCED TO DEATH FOR STEALING N3,000
An Osun State High Court sitting in Osogbo sentenced a man, Kayode Adedeji to death by hanging for robbing a woman of the sum of N3,420.
JULY 13, 2017NigeriaDEATH PENALTYNIGERIA: COURT SENTENCES TEENAGER TO DEATH BY HANGING
A 19-year-old male, Adeolu Bamiteko, was sentenced to death for armed robbery by an Ekiti High Court sitting in Ado-Ekiti.
- JULY 3, 2017NigeriaDEATH PENALTY
NIGERIA: MAN SENTENCED TO DEATH FOR ARMED ROBBERY
An Ekiti State High Court sitting in Ado-Ekiti sentenced a man, Aanu Adu, to death for armed robbery.
- JUNE 25, 2017NigeriaDEATH PENALTY
NIGERIA: COURT SENTENCES MAN TO DEATH FOR ROBBERY, RAPE
An Ondo State High Court sitting in Akure has sentenced a man, Aturoti Adeleke, to death by hanging, for armed robbery and rape.
- MAY 9, 2017NigeriaDEATH PENALTY
NIGERIA: MAN TO HANG FOR HACKING FATHER TO DEATH
An Ado Ekiti High Court sentenced a Blessing Olumakinde, 47, to death for killing his father, Benson Egunlae, over the man’s estate.
- MAY 8, 2017NigeriaDEATH PENALTY
NIGERIA: COURT SENTENCES MINOR TO DEATH IN KOGI
A Kogi State High Court sitting in Lokoja sentenced a 15-year-old cattle rearer, Haruna Usman, to death for culpable homicide.
MARCH 30, 2017NigeriaDEATH PENALTYNIGERIA: THREE TO DIE BY HANGING FOR ROBBERY
An Ilorin High Court sentenced three persons to death by hanging for armed robbery and attempt to murder Prof. Abdullahi Onimisi of University of Ilorin.
MARCH 17, 2017NigeriaDEATH PENALTYNIGERIA: 5 SENTENCED TO DEATH FOR MURDER, ARMED ROBBERY
An Oyo State High Court sitting at Iyaganku sentenced five people to death in two different cases.
- MARCH 7, 2017NigeriaDEATH PENALTY
NIGERIA: BAUCHI APPROVES DEATH SENTENCE FOR KIDNAPPING
Kidnapping in Bauchi State is now punishable with death or life imprisonment as Gov. Mohammed Abdullahi signed into law a bill in that direction.
- FEBRUARY 27, 2017NigeriaDEATH PENALTY
NIGERIA: LAWYER FADIPE’S KILLER SENTENCED TO DEATH
A Lagos High Court sitting in Ikeja, has sentenced Oluwaseun Oladapo to death by hanging for the murder of Mr. Kunle Fadipe, a Lagos-based human rights lawyer.
- FEBRUARY 23, 2017NigeriaDEATH PENALTY
NIGERIA: MAN SENTENCED TO DEATH BY HANGING FOR KILLING WIFE
A Lagos High Court in Ikeja sentenced a man, Sulaiman Olalekan, to death by hanging for the murder of his
- FEBRUARY 20, 2017NigeriaDEATH PENALTY
NIGERIA: TWO SENTENCED TO DEATH FOR ARMED ROBBERY
An Osun State High Court sitting in Iwo sentenced two armed robbers, Sunday Ishaih and Akeem Lamidi,
FEBRUARY 13, 2017NigeriaDEATH PENALTYNIGERIA: MAN GETS DEATH SENTENCE 5 YEARS AFTER HACKING ANOTHER TO DEATH
A Lagos State High Court presided over by Justice Raliat Adebiyi, sentenced a man, Anuoluwapo Samuel, to death for murder.
- FEBRUARY 11, 2017NigeriaDEATH PENALTY
NIGERIA: AMOSUN PARDONS THREE PRISONERS, COMMUTES DEATH SENTENCE ON TWO INMATES
Governor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun state has ordered the release of three prisoners and commuted the death sentence on two other inmates to life imprisonment.
- FEBRUARY 11, 2017NigeriaDEATH PENALTY
NIGERIA: ABUJA HIGH COURT SENTENCES RANDY SOLDIER TO DEATH
A soldier has been sentenced to death by an Abuja High Court which found him guilty of rape and culpable homicide.
FEBRUARY 1, 2017NigeriaWHEN PREVENTION IS WORSE THAN PUNISHMENTNIGERIA: LAGOS STATE GOVERNOR AMBODE APPROVES DEATH PENALTY FOR KIDNAPPERS
Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode signed the anti-kidnapping bill recently passed by the Lagos State House of Assembly into law.
JANUARY 23, 2017NigeriaDEATH PENALTYNIGERIA: COURT SENTENCES MAN TO DEATH BY HANGING FOR ROBBERY
A High Court in Abeokuta sentenced Kola Akanji, to death by hanging for armed robbery.
- JANUARY 17, 2017NigeriaDEATH PENALTY
NIGERIA: ARMED ROBBER SENTENCED TO DEATH BY HANGING
An Akure High Court in Ondo State has sentenced one Mr Femi Aseye to death by hanging for his involvement in armed robbery.
- JANUARY 5, 2017NigeriaDEATH PENALTY
NIGERIA: LAGOS ASSEMBLY OKAYS DEATH PENALTY FOR KIDNAPPERS
The Lagos State House of Assembly approved death penalty for offenders as it passed the anti-kidnapping Bill into law.
- JANUARY 1, 2017NigeriaDEATH PENALTY
Death sentences are mandatory for murder but also non lethal offences
Death sentences are mandatory for murder but also non lethal offences