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 11, 2009NigeriaDEATH PENALTY
NIGERIA: NBA OPPOSES CAPITAL PUNISHMENT FOR KIDNAPPING
the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) cautioned the Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi, against making kidnapping a capital offence.
- FEBRUARY 9, 2009NigeriaDEATH PENALTY
NIGERIA: KIDNAPPERS NOW TO FACE DEATH SENTENCE
in Nigeria, Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi announced a number of measures to make the Niger Delta safer for operators in the oil and gas industry and others within the region.
FEBRUARY 6, 2009NigeriaDEATH PENALTYNIGERIA: SUPREME COURT AFFIRMS DEATH SENTENCE
the Nigerian Supreme Court affirmed the death sentence of Suleiman Olawale Arogundare for killing his
- JANUARY 14, 2009NigeriaDEATH PENALTY
the Lagos Division of the Court of Appeal in Nigeria is to rule at a later date on whether or not to admit additional grounds of evidence filed by Rev. Emeka Ezeugothe Lagos Division of the Court of Appeal in Nigeria is to rule at a later date on whether
the Lagos Division of the Court of Appeal in Nigeria is to rule at a later date on whether or not to admit additional grounds of evidence filed by Rev. Emeka Ezeugo
- JANUARY 9, 2009NigeriaDEATH PENALTY
NIGERIA: CAPITAL PUNISHMENT FOR KIDNAPPERS IN ABIA
the State House of Assembly in Abia, Nigeria, acted against the rising tide of kidnapping in
- JANUARY 3, 2009NigeriaDEATH PENALTY
NIGERIA: ELECHI COMMUTES 2 DEATH SENTENCES
in Nigeria, Ebonyi State Governor Chief Martin Elechi commuted the death sentences of two prisoners to life sentences.
- JANUARY 1, 2009NigeriaDEATH PENALTY
The Nigerian Constitution states at Part II...
The Nigerian Constitution states at Part II...
- DECEMBER 28, 2008NigeriaDEATH PENALTY
the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) advocated capital punishment for hard drug traffickers and peddlers
the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) advocated capital punishment for hard drug traffickers and peddlers
- DECEMBER 22, 2008NigeriaDEATH PENALTY
in Nigeria, Dr Jude Akubuilo, the Special Adviser to Governor Chime on Special Projects and Diaspora Matters
in Nigeria, Dr Jude Akubuilo, the Special Adviser to Governor Chime on Special Projects and Diaspora Matters
- DECEMBER 21, 2008IndonesiaDEATH PENALTY
prosecutors are preparing for Indonesia’s 11th execution this year
prosecutors are preparing for Indonesia’s 11th execution this year
- DECEMBER 3, 2008NigeriaDEATH PENALTY
two men were sentenced to death by hanging by the Ondo Supreme Court...
two men were sentenced to death by hanging by the Ondo Supreme Court...
NOVEMBER 30, 2008NigeriaDEATH PENALTYAFRICA'S HUMAN RIGHTS BODY TAKES A STANCE AGAINST THE DEATH PENALTY
the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR) called for a moratorium on executions
NOVEMBER 15, 2008NigeriaDEATH PENALTYNIGERIA LEADER PARDONS MAN ON DEATH ROW FOR 22 YEARS
Nigerian President Umaru Yar'Adua pardoned a man who spent more than two decades on death row for
- NOVEMBER 14, 2008NigeriaDEATH PENALTY
NIGERIA: CONVICT APPEALS TO SUPREME COURT
Aminu Tanko, who was sentenced to death by a Nigerian State High Court for conspiracy and robbery and whose conviction was affirmed by the Court of Appeal appealed to the Supreme Court.
NOVEMBER 6, 2008NigeriaDEATH PENALTYINDONESIA. NIGERIANS SENTENCED TO DEATH OPT FOR REVIEW
the News Agency of Nigeria reported that eighteen Nigerians sentenced to death for drug trafficking in
- OCTOBER 31, 2008NigeriaDEATH PENALTY
NIGERIA: FG BEGS INDONESIA OVER NIGERIANS ON DEATH ROW
Chief Ojo Maduekwe, Minister of Foreign Affairs called for urgent steps to combat the menace of drug trade among Nigerians.
- OCTOBER 28, 2008NigeriaDEATH PENALTY
Amnesty International (AI) described the 56 people currently on death row in Imo State, in Nigeria, including one woman
Amnesty International (AI) described the 56 people currently on death row in Imo State, in Nigeria, including one woman
OCTOBER 7, 2008NigeriaDEATH PENALTYNIGERIA. MAN WITH 86 WIVES SPARED CHARGE OF MARRYING TOO MANY
Authorities in Nigeria dropped charges of illegal marrying 86 wives slapped on an 84-year-old Islamic cleric
- SEPTEMBER 24, 2008NigeriaDEATH PENALTY
RIGHTS COMMISSION CALLS FOR ACTION ON DEATH ROW NIGERIANS
Nigeria's National Human Rights Commission called on the government to examine why so many Nigerians are facing the death penalty worldwide.
- SEPTEMBER 22, 2008NigeriaDEATH PENALTY
NIGERIA. COP TO HANG IN LAGOS
Inspector John Onwe, a Lagos policeman, was sentenced to hang for the killing of Ndudiri Onyekwere.
- SEPTEMBER 19, 2008NigeriaDEATH PENALTY
NIGERIA: MAN WITH 86 WIVES APPEALS DEATH SENTENCE
Alhaji Bello Masaba, the Nigerian man with 86 wives...
- SEPTEMBER 10, 2008IndonesiaDEATH PENALTY
INDONESIA: 10 NIGERIANS SENTENCED TO DEATH
the Indonesian Supreme Court confirmed the death sentence passed on 10 Nigerians for drug-related offences.
- SEPTEMBER 1, 2008NigeriaDEATH PENALTY
NIGERIA. MAN CONDEMNED FOR HAVING 86 WIVES VOWS TO MARRY YET MORE
An 84-year-old Nigerian Muslim preacher with 86 wives intends to marry more women
SEPTEMBER 1, 2008NigeriaDEATH PENALTYINDONESIA. 20 NIGERIANS FACE EXECUTION
Twenty Nigerian citizens are currently awaiting the hangman’s nose in Indonesia
- AUGUST 23, 2008NigeriaDEATH PENALTY
NIGERIA: MAN WITH 80 WIVES SENTENCED TO DEATH
an Islamic body in Nigeria issued a death sentence on a man who married 80 women when Islam allows a maximum of four, the Guardian newspaper reported.
- AUGUST 7, 2008NigeriaDEATH PENALTY
NIGERIA: EDO HOUSE MOVES AGAINST DEATH PENALTY
in Nigeria, the former Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly and member representing Esan South and Esan North at the House of Representatives, Abuja, Hon. Friday ltulah pledged to introduce the capital punishment amendment bill on the floor of the H
- AUGUST 4, 2008ThailandDEATH PENALTY
29 NIGERIANS ESCAPE DEATH SENTENCE IN THAILAND, AFGHANISTAN
twenty-nine Nigerians, condemned to death in Thailand and Afghanistan for drug-related offences, had their sentences commuted to prison terms.
- AUGUST 4, 2008MalaysiaDEATH PENALTY
TWO NIGERIANS TO HANG IN MALAYSIA FOR MURDER
the appeal by two Nigerians against the death sentences was dismissed by the Malaysian Federal Court.
- JULY 30, 2008NigeriaDEATH PENALTY
NIGERIA: DIKIBO’S KILLERS SENTENCED TO DEATH
Onyeka Emordi and Solomon Igbinedion were sentenced to death by hanging for the alleged killing of the Nigerian Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain Chief A.K. Dikibo, on February 6, 2004.
JULY 23, 2008NigeriaDEATH PENALTYSAUDI ARABIA. NIGERIAN EXECUTED FOR DRUG TRAFFICKING
a convicted Nigerian drug trafficker was beheaded by the sword in the holy city of Mecca, in western Saudi Arabia, the interior ministry said.