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
- 1,104
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 1,104 news items on Nigeria, from 1999 to today.
Latest news
NOVEMBER 8, 2016NigeriaDEATH PENALTYNIGERIA: OSUN COURT SENTENCES OCTOGENARIAN, THREE OTHERS TO DEATH
An Osun State High Court presided by Justice Kudrat Akano sentenced an octogenarian Mr Oluwafemi
OCTOBER 25, 2016NigeriaDEATH PENALTYNIGERIA: 25-YEAR-OLD MAN SENTENCED TO DEATH BY HANGING
A Kaduna High Court sitting at Dogarawa, Zaria, sentenced a 25-year-old man, Hassan Adamu, to death by hanging for homicide.
OCTOBER 1, 2016NigeriaDEATH PENALTYNIGERIA: EBONYI STATE GOVERNOR COMMUTES DEATH SENTENCE ON 14 INMATES, PARDONS 32
Gov. David Umahi of Ebonyi ordered that death sentences on 14 prisoners of Ebonyi origin in various prisons be commuted to life imprisonment.
SEPTEMBER 15, 2016NigeriaDEATH PENALTYNIGERIA: MAN WHO MURDERED WIFE SENTENCED TO DEATH IN JIGAWA STATE
The Jigawa State High Court in Dutse sentenced one Usman Sani of Mairobar Fulani of Jeke village in
AUGUST 2, 2016NigeriaDEATH PENALTYNIGERIA: FOUR ARMED ROBBERS SENTENCED TO DEATH IN ONDO
A state High Court sitting in Akure, Ondo State, sentenced four armed robbers to death by firing squad.
JULY 14, 2016NigeriaDEATH PENALTYNIGERIA: NIGER STATE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY ADOPTS DEATH PENALTY FOR ARMED CATTLE RUSTLERS
The Niger State House of Assembly passed into law the criminalization of kidnapping and cattle rustling, the
JUNE 30, 2016NigeriaDEATH PENALTYNIGERIA: DELTA STATE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY CANCELS DEATH PENALTY FOR KIDNAPPERS
The Delta State House of Assembly in Asaba, approved life imprisonment for any person convicted of
- JUNE 22, 2016NigeriaDEATH PENALTY
NIGERIA: MAN SENTENCED TO DEATH BY HANGING IN KANO
Justice Kabiru Auta of a Kano High Court sentenced the killer of a Kano business tycoon, philanthropist, and Yoruba leader, Ganiyu Akanbi Bello, to death by hanging.
- JUNE 9, 2016NigeriaDEATH PENALTY
NIGERIA: OSUN STATE GOVERNOR PARDONS 17 PRISONERS, COMMUTES FOUR DEATH SENTENCES
Seventeen prisoners serving various jail terms in Ogun State were granted state pardon by the state
MAY 2, 2016NigeriaDEATH PENALTYNIGERIA: 3 KIDNAPPERS SENTENCED TO DEATH
A Delta State High Court sitting in Effurun, has sentenced three persons, Augustin Akpojivi, Dawel James
APRIL 8, 2016NigeriaDEATH PENALTYNIGERIA: OYO STATE GOVERNOR OKAYS DEATH PENALTY FOR KIDNAPPERS
Oyo State Governor Abiola Ajimobi signed into law a kidnapping prohibition bill, which makes kidnapping a capital offence in the state.
MARCH 21, 2016NigeriaDEATH PENALTYNIGERIA: KILLER OF POLICEMEN IN BAYELSA GETS DEATH SENTENCE
Bayelsa State High Court has sentenced one of the killers of the eleven policemen at Lobia two community
MARCH 18, 2016NigeriaDEATH PENALTYNIGERIA: COURT SENTENCES MAN TO DEATH BY HANGING FOR STEALING N30,000 IN ONDO
A middle age man was sentenced to death by hanging by the Ondo State High Court sitting in Akure, the
- FEBRUARY 27, 2016NigeriaDEATH PENALTY
NIGERIA: 1,639 INMATE ON DEATH ROW – PRISONS SERVICE
The Nigeria Prisons Service stated that 1,639 inmates are awaiting execution in various prisons across the country.
- JANUARY 22, 2016NigeriaDEATH PENALTY
NIGERIA: SUPREME COURT OKAYS OKEKE FOR EXECUTION
The Supreme Court upheld the judgment of a Lagos High Court sentencing a man, Nonso Okeke to death
JANUARY 6, 2016NigeriaDEATH PENALTYNIGERIA: POPULAR PREACHER TO BE HANGED FOR BLASPHEMY
A very popular preacher, Abdulaziz Dauda, has been sentenced to death by hanging after a Kano upper
- JANUARY 1, 2016NigeriaDEATH PENALTY
Death sentences are mandatory for murder but also non lethal offences
Death sentences are mandatory for murder but also non lethal offences
- NOVEMBER 25, 2015NigeriaDEATH PENALTY
NIGERIA: 1,639 CONDEMNED PRISONERS AWAIT DEATH, SAYS PRISONS BOSS
One thousand, six hundred and thirty-nine condemned inmates are awaiting execution in the nation’s prisons, the Controller-General of Nigeria Prisons Service (NPS), Dr. Peter Ekpendu, said.
OCTOBER 28, 2015NigeriaDEATH PENALTYNIGERIA: POLICE CORPORAL KILLS COLLEAGUE, GETS DEATH SENTENCE
A former police corporal, Smart Udeme, has been sentenced to death by hanging for killing his colleague, one Sgt. Yunusa Isah of Mopol 7 Squadron, Sokoto.
JULY 15, 2015NigeriaDEATH PENALTYNIGERIA: KILLER OF EX-OGUN MAGISTRATE SENTENCED TO DEATH
A 22-year-old man, David Idah, was sentenced to death by hanging for killing a retired chief magistrate in Ogun State, Mrs. Olufunmilayo Timeyin.
- JUNE 25, 2015NigeriaDEATH PENALTY
NIGERIA: NINE PEOPLE SENTENCED TO DEATH BY KANO SHARIA COURT FOR BLASPHEMY AGAINST ISLAM
Nine people have been sentenced to death in Kano State by a Sharia Court of Appeal in Rijiyar Lemo for
- JUNE 9, 2015NigeriaDEATH PENALTY
NIGERIA: CHILD BRIDE ACCUSED OF KILLING HUSBAND TO BE FREED, ANOTHER REMAINS ON DEATH ROW
A High Court judge in Gezawa, Kano State, ordered Wasila Tasi'u, a child forced to marry at just 13 who
- MAY 28, 2015NigeriaDEATH PENALTY
Mr Jonah Jang, Governor of Plateau State, with less than twenty-four hours to the end of his tenure, granted
Mr Jonah Jang, Governor of Plateau State, with less than twenty-four hours to the end of his tenure, granted
- MAY 28, 2015NigeriaDEATH PENALTY
Emmanuel Uduaghan , the Governor of the Delta State, granted total pardon to Moses Akatugba who was
Emmanuel Uduaghan , the Governor of the Delta State, granted total pardon to Moses Akatugba who was
- JANUARY 4, 2015NigeriaDEATH PENALTY
the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Godswill Akpabio, in the spirit of New Year granted amnesty to 14
the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Godswill Akpabio, in the spirit of New Year granted amnesty to 14
- JANUARY 1, 2015NigeriaDEATH PENALTY
Death sentences are mandatory for murder but also non lethal offences
Death sentences are mandatory for murder but also non lethal offences
- DECEMBER 17, 2014NigeriaDEATH PENALTY
NIGERIA TO PUT 54 SOLDIERS TO DEATH FOR REFUSAL TO FIGHT BOKO HARAM
A court martial in Nigeria has sentenced 54 soldiers to death for mutiny, assault, cowardice and refusing to
- OCTOBER 28, 2014NigeriaDEATH PENALTY
NIGERIA: COURT ORDERS STAY OF EXECUTION ON CONVICTED SOLDIERS
A Federal High Court in Abuja ordered the Nigerian Army to stay execution on the death sentence passed
- OCTOBER 24, 2014NigeriaDEATH PENALTY
NIGERIA: A MAN WHO CHEATED HANGMAN AT GALLOWS FREED AFTER 19 YEARS
- OCTOBER 1, 2014NigeriaDEATH PENALTY
NIGERIA: DELTA STATE GOVERNOR FREES THREE ON DEATH ROW
Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State granted pardon to three men awaiting execution to mark