Full List of Punishable Crimes & Offences in Nigeria

In any country or society, crimes will inevitably occur. As a result, there must be regulations in place to prevent people from doing them and to penalize those who do. It has been observed in Nigeria that certain crimes are more prevalent than others. The top and therefore most common crimes in Nigeria, as well as their punishments, will be listed in this article.

Although, these henious crimes are punishable by law, the process of getting judgement for these criminal offences seem lengthy, hence the delay in justice or metting out punishment to erring individuals. In this post, we shall list all punishable offences and their punishment according to the criminal act or better still, the constitution of Nigeria.

FULL LIST OF THE MOST COMMON CRIMES AND THEIR PENALTIES IN NIGERIA

The comprehensive list of the punishable crimes and offences in Nigeria include the following:

TERRORISM

Terrorism is a broad term that refers to the act of instilling fear and harm in the public with the goal of intimidating them, usually utilizing religion, politics, or money as the bolstering notion. In Nigeria, terrorism is punishable by life imprisonment or, if death is implicated, the death sentence.

CYBERCRIME

The use of a computer or numerous different digitized device to commit a crime. Cybercafes must register with the EFCC in order for the agency to monitor their operations and impose operational rules that prevent internet fraud. Cybercrime carries a penalty of ten million naira or five years in prison.

RAPE

Engaging in sexual activity with somebody against her will, particularly with violence, is referred to as rape. Males are responsible for about 90% of predatory sex against females. Rape symbolizes, to some extent, Nigerians’ ambivalence, moral degradation, ethical insolvency, materialism, depraved conscience, pervasive immorality, and deceit over the years. Rape is punishable by life in prison or a lesser sentence, as well as a monetary fine.

ECONOMIC CRIME

This type of crime comes in a variety of forms. The main similarity for this form of crime is that it harms a country’s economy – in this case, Nigeria’s – and can even throw the country into downturn. There are a lot of these kinds of crimes. Tax evasion, pipeline vandalism, and a slew of other issues Seven years in prison, with or without a fine, is the penalty.

FINANCIAL CRIME

A financial crime is an offence that happens to involve the unauthorised use out of money or financial products such as cheques, drafts, money orders, etc. For instance, bank fraud, the issue of forged checks, and so on. Penalty: fourteen years in prison or a fine, or both.

ADVANCE FEE FRAUD

This is a type of scam in which a fraudster deceives a person into making an upfront payment on a proposed business deal, romance, marriage, contract, or other transaction.  A financial crime is punishable by fourteen years in prison, a fine, or both.

MONEY LAUNDERING

Money laundering is the illegal transfer of funds out of Nigeria. Money which hasn’t been disclosed to the authorities and is typically obtained through unlawful ways in order to transform it to legal tender. Money laundering carries a sentence of seven to fourteen years in prison and a fine.

POLICE BRUTALITY AND HOSTILITY

The Nigerian police force’s heinous brutality and hostility make people question the need for survival techniques in this no-man’s-land. Regarding police brutality, the public has no established defense. To protect themselves, police shoot unarmed individuals and place tags on armed robbers. Defenceless Nigerians have been punished for crimes they did not commit. Three years in prison is the penalty for police brutality. We have also provided ways on how to report a police officer for misconduct.

BRIBERY AND CORRUPTION

Bribery is the exercise of giving something, especially money, in exchange for a clandestine advantage, while corruption is the abuse of a stance of credibility in attempt to gain an unfair advantage. Bribery and corruption are punishable by three years in prison.

ROBBERY ON THE HIGHWAY/ARMED ROBBERY/ROBBERY

In Nigeria, this is a rather prevalent offense. It has long been a dangerous vice, and in some areas, it is becoming even more so. Robbery is punishable by seven years in jail, with or without a fine. The additional counts would indeed be charged individually in cases of violent offences.

RELIGIOUS CRISIS

During or after a religious crisis, any crimes committed would be made to pay as being such. If a religious catastrophe or violence occurs, for instance, culprits would be accountable for murder, arson, rape, and theft, and would also be prosecuted and appropriately punished.

COMPLICITY

Punishment for complicity is the same as for the directly responsible crime.

CRIMINAL CONSPIRACY

A maximum of six months in prison, with or without a fine, is the penalty for criminal conspiracy.

SLANDER AND LIBEL

Penalty for slander and libel is three years in prison or a fine, or even both.

EMBEZZLEMENT

The following are the penalties for misappropriation of funds: Sentencing ranges from seven to fourteen years in prison, including a monetary fine.

BALLOT BOX SNATCHING

A highest possible fine of ₦50,000,000 or an imprisonment for a period of not less than ten years, or both, is the penalty for snatching a ballot box.

FORGERY

Forgery is punishable by seven years in prison, with or without a fine.

PHYSICAL ASSAULT

Physical assault is punishable by a life sentence or a lesser sentence, with or without the option of a fine.

HATE SPEECH/PUBLIC INCITEMENT

A year in prison is the penalty for hate speech/public incitement.

EXAMINATION MALPRACTICE

Punishment for Examination malpractice is three years jail sentence.

CONCLUSION

Finally, you should be aware that there are other offenses that are widespread in Nigeria, all of which are punishable under the law. You should take care to understand these laws and what it means to break them in order to avoid being fined. Even though, as they say, ignorance of the law isn’t a justification before the law, this information will assist you in becoming aware of these offences.

If you believe you have been wrongfully charged, it is critical that you hire a lawyer to represent you. Some people unintentionally disobey the law, and if your lawyer is excellent, he or she may be able to use this as a defense in your case.