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
AUGUST 8, 2019NigeriaDEATH PENALTYNIGERIA: NOTORIOUS SERIAL KILLER SENTENCED TO DEATH IN KANO
A notorious criminal and serial killer, Umar Yakubu, has been sentenced to death by a Kano State High Court, The Daily Post reported on 31 July 2019.
JULY 30, 2019NigeriaDEATH PENALTYNIGERIA: TRUCK DRIVER SENTENCED TO DEATH BY HANGING FOR CRUSHING MAN TO DEATH
An Abeokuta High Court on 26 July 2019 sentenced a truck driver, Monsuni Waidi, to death by hanging for killing a passenger.
- JULY 8, 2019NigeriaDEATH PENALTY
NIGERIA: 83-YEAR-OLD FATHER, SON AND COUSIN RELEASED AFTER 14 YEARS ON DEATH ROW FOR MURDER THEY DIDN’T COMMIT
For 14 years, an innocent family of three including an 86-year-old man had to wait in uncertainty and fear as they served a life sentence for a crime they never committed.
JULY 3, 2019NigeriaDEATH PENALTYNIGERIA: TARABA STATE ASSEMBLY ADOPTS DEATH PENALTY FOR KIDNAPPERS
The Taraba House of Assembly on 2 July 2019 amended the state Kidnapping and Abduction Prohibition Act 2010, to introduce death penalty and life imprisonment for offenders.
JUNE 18, 2019NigeriaDEATH PENALTYNIGERIA: MAN WRONGLY SENTENCED TO DEATH REGAINS FREEDOM AFTER 16 YEARS IN JAIL
Mr. Oyenye Obasi, a 33-year-old man who was convicted at the age of 17 in Ibadan, regained freedom through the prerogative of mercy granted by former Oyo State Governor Abiola Ajimobi at the tail end of his administration.
JUNE 12, 2019NigeriaDEATH PENALTYNIGERIA: MAN SENTENCED TO DEATH FOR KILLING HIS GIRLFRIEND IN YOBE
A Yobe High Court on 11 June 2019 sentenced one Muhammed Adamu to death by hanging for killing his girlfriend, Hauwa Muhammad, 24.
JUNE 6, 2019NigeriaDEATH PENALTYNIGERIA: FARMER SENTENCED TO DEATH BY HANGING IN DELTA
A High Court sitting at Ughelli on 30 May 2019 sentenced a 40-year old farmer, Alex Obigho to death by hanging for the murder of the personal steward/cook to the traditional ruler of Kiagbodo community.
MAY 30, 2019NigeriaDEATH PENALTYNIGERIA: COURT SENTENCES BENINOISE HOUSEKEEPER TO DEATH BY HANGING FOR MURDER
A Lagos High Court, sitting in Igbosere on 27 May 2019, sentenced a Béninoise house help, Christian Hounvenon Yavine, to death by hanging for murdering a 78-year-old woman, Mariam Atinuke Abiola.
MAY 29, 2019NigeriaDEATH PENALTYNIGERIA: KATSINA ANNOUNCES DEATH PENALTY FOR KIDNAPPERS, RUSTLERS
The Katsina State Government on 24 May 2019 introduced the death penalty for kidnappers and cattle rustlers in the state.
MAY 22, 2019NigeriaDEATH PENALTYNIGERIA: WOMAN SENTENCED TO DEATH FOR KILLING NEIGHBOUR DURING FIGHT IN AJEGUNLE
An Ikeja high court on 7 May 2019 sentenced a 36-year-old woman, Stella Gilbert, to death for stabbing her neighbour, Mrs Stella Godwin, to death during a fight at their residence in Ajegunle, Lagos.
MAY 22, 2019NigeriaDEATH PENALTYNIGERIA: CAMEROONIAN COOK SENTENCED TO DEATH FOR KILLING EMPLOYER
A Lagos High Court in Igbosere has sentenced a Cameroonian cook, Leudjou Koyemen Joel, to death for the 20 December 2016 murder of Dayo Adeleke, AltAfrica reported on 21 May 2019.
MAY 17, 2019NigeriaDEATH PENALTYNIGERIA: PASTOR, MISTRESS SENTENCED TO DEATH FOR KILLING NNPC SENIOR STAFF
A housewife and her lover have been sentenced to death by a Benin High Court for the murder of senior staff of Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC), Benin city, Engineer Victor Gabriel Isonguyo.
- MAY 14, 2019NigeriaDEATH PENALTY
NIGERIA: MAN BAGS DEATH SENTENCE FOR KILLING BROTHER IN LAGOS
An Ikeja High Court on 13 May 2019 sentenced to death a 33-year-old man, Abiodun Allen, for killing his immediate younger brother, Wale, with a broken bottle.
- MAY 9, 2019NigeriaDEATH PENALTY
NIGERIA: 5 PRISONERS TO BE STONED TO DEATH IN BAUCHI
Five condemned persons who have been convicted to be stoned to death while another 10 whose legs and hands are to be amputated are said to be languishing in Bauchi prison presently.
APRIL 29, 2019NigeriaDEATH PENALTYNIGERIA: 20 CONDEMNED CONVICTS ESCAPE DEATH AS AMBODE COMMUTES SENTENCES
No fewer than 20 condemned prisoners in Lagos were saved from the hangman when the state government commuted their death sentences to life imprisonment just as it freed 14 inmates who had spent 20 years in prison, This Day reported on 27 April 2019.
APRIL 18, 2019NigeriaDEATH PENALTYNIGERIA: THREE POLICEMEN, FOUR OTHERS SENTENCED TO DEATH FOR KIDNAPPING
An Akwa Ibom State High Court in Uyo, presided by Justice Joy Unwana has handed down death sentence to seven people, including three policemen for kidnapping, the Nation reported on 16 April 2019.
APRIL 4, 2019NigeriaDEATH PENALTYNIGERIA: ONDO STATE GOVERNOR AKEREDOLU WILL SIGN DEATH WARRANT OF CONVICTS SENTENCED TO DEATH
Ondo State Governor Mr Rotimi Akeredolu will soon sign the death warrant of convicts sentenced to death by different courts in the southwestern state.
APRIL 4, 2019NigeriaDEATH PENALTYNIGERIA: MAN SENTENCED TO DEATH FOR KILLING HIS WIFE A MONTH AFTER THEIR WEDDING
The Federal High court in Yenogoa, Bayelsa state, on 22 March 2019 sentenced 42 year old Ogho-Oghene Stephen Akpata to death by hanging for stabbing his wife of just one month, Oyinye Faustina Eze, to death at their home in the Kpansia area of Yenagoa in
APRIL 1, 2019NigeriaDEATH PENALTYNIGERIA: COURT SENTENCES FOUR TO DEATH BY HANGING IN DELTA
A four-man syndicate that specialised in robbing, kidnapping and snatching exotic cars in Asaba and its environs have been sentenced to death by hanging by a High Court in Asaba, the Delta State capital.
MARCH 27, 2019NigeriaDEATH PENALTYNIGERIA: RTEAN MEMBER TO DIE FOR KILLING COLLEAGUE OVER ‘LOADING’
An Ekiti State High Court on 26 March 2019 sentenced a member of the Road Transport Employer Association of Nigeria (RTEAN) Abednego Ajibola, to death for killing his colleague over scuffle on loading arrangement.
MARCH 26, 2019NigeriaDEATH PENALTYNIGERIA: COURT SENTENCES BOYFRIEND TO DEATH
An Akure High Court has sentenced a middle-aged man, Chukwudi Onweniwe, to death by hanging, for killing his girlfriend, Nifemi Adeyeye, an HND student of Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo (RUGIPO).
MARCH 20, 2019NigeriaDEATH PENALTYNIGERIA: COURT SENTENCES MAN TO DEATH FOR ATTACKING MOTHER, STEP SISTER
An High Court sitting in Igbosere, Lagos State on 18 March 2019 sentenced one Akeem Lawal to death by hanging over robbery attack.
MARCH 13, 2019NigeriaDEATH PENALTYNIGERIA: BAKER SENTENCED TO DEATH BY HANGING FOR ARMED ROBBERY
A 30-year-old baker, Moroofu Shina, has been sentenced to death by hanging by Justice Kabiru Olawoyin of an Oyo State High court, Oyo Judicial Division after being found guilty of armed robbery, the Tribune reported on 7 March 2019.
- MARCH 12, 2019NigeriaDEATH PENALTY
NIGERIA: COURT SENTENCES LEKAN SHONDE TO DEATH FOR KILLING WIFE
The Lagos State High Court on 8 March 2019 sentenced Lekan Shonde to death by hanging for killing his wife, Ronke.
- FEBRUARY 19, 2019NigeriaDEATH PENALTY
NIGERIA: COURT SENTENCES LAGOS NURTW CHAIRMAN TO DEATH BY HANGING
Justice Olabisi Akinlade of the Lagos State High Court on 6 February 2019 sentenced the Chairman of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, NURTW, Boundary/Aiyetoro unit area of the state, Saheed Arogundade, to death by hanging for the murder of a p
- FEBRUARY 19, 2019NigeriaDEATH PENALTY
NIGERIA: TWO SENTENCED TO DEATH FOR ARMED ROBBERY
An Ado-Ekiti High Court on 7 February 2019 sentenced two men, Oluwayomi Adedayo, 27, and Seyi Daramola, 23, to death for armed robbery.
- FEBRUARY 14, 2019NigeriaDEATH PENALTY
NIGERIA: COURT SENTENCES MAN TO DEATH FOR KILLING TWO SISTERS IN JIGAWA
A Jigawa High Court sitting in Dutse has sentenced a 25-year-old man, Zailani Musa to death by hanging for killing two girls at Ribadu village in Gwaram local government area, dailypost.ng reported on 4 February 2019.
FEBRUARY 11, 2019NigeriaDEATH PENALTYNIGERIA: COURT SENTENCES THREE TO DEATH IN OSUN OVER DEATH OF UNDERGRADUATE
An Osun State High Court on 4 February 2019 sentenced three persons to death over the murder of a 400-level student, Oluwafemi Timileyin Sonibare.
- JANUARY 29, 2019NigeriaDEATH PENALTY
NIGERIA: DISMISSED SOLDIER SENTENCED TO DEATH FOR MURDERING GIRLFRIEND OVER SMS
A Plateau high court sitting in Barkin Ladi on 23 January 2019 sentenced a 34-year-old dismissed soldier, Sunday Umaru, to death by hanging, for hacking his lover to death over a message found on her phone.
- JANUARY 25, 2019NigeriaDEATH PENALTY
NIGERIA: MAN TO DIE BY HANGING FOR MURDER
Lagos Igbosere High Court on 22 January 2019 sentenced a man, Ibrahim Tijani, to death by hanging, for killing his neighbour with a machete, during a quarrel over generator fumes.