7 Things You Probably Didn't Know Were Illegal in Nigeria
1. Oral Sex
Oral and Anal sex, Bestiality, Homosexuality, and all forms of "Sodomy" are crimes in Nigeria as of July 31st, 2023. These offenses originated in England and spread to English colonies with English law (via colonization).
England itself has abolished most of these criminal laws relating to sexual orientation or preference. So has many erstwhile English colonies. But in Nigeria, the law hasn't been abolished yet. The punishment for such practices is 14 years imprisonment.
2. Witchcraft
Section 216 (a) of the Penal Code law of Northern Nigeria provides: “whoever by his statement or actions represents himself to be a witch or to have the power of witchcraft;… shall be punished with imprisonment which may extend to two years or with fine or with both.”
From the tenor of the Act, it can be inferred that a person is not guilty based on a mere accusation of being a witch as it is commonplace in Africa. He must by his statement or action admit to having powers of witchcraft. Doesn't make it any less wild though.
3. Homosexuality
Both male and female same-sex sexual activity is illegal in Nigeria. The maximum punishment in the 12 northern states that have adopted the Shari'a law is death by stoning.
This applies to all Muslims and to those who have voluntarily consented to the application of the Shari'a courts.
In southern Nigeria and under the secular criminal laws of northern Nigeria, the maximum punishment for same-sex sexual activity is 14 years imprisonment. The Same-Sex Marriage Prohibition Act criminalizes all forms of same-sex unions throughout the country.
4. Abortion
In Nigeria, abortion is legal only when performed to save a woman's life. Still, abortions are common, and most are unsafe because they are done clandestinely, by unskilled providers or both.
Unsafe abortion is a major contributor to the country's high levels of maternal death, ill health, and disability. Nigeria has one of the highest maternal mortality ratios in the world, and little improvement has occurred in recent years.
5. Army Green
In Nigeria, it is unlawful for any person to wear clothing, drive or own any motor vehicle painted in the color known colloquially as ‘army green’.
The penalty is a fine of N200 or imprisonment not exceeding six months or both.
In addition, such vehicle/ clothing shall be seized. The owner may claim the vehicle by undertaking to re-paint it to a color other than Army green color.
6. Cryptocurrency
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) sent a letter to banks and other financial institutions in February 2021, stating that trading in cryptocurrencies and enabling payment for cryptocurrency exchanges are banned.
The CBN also directed all banks and other financial institutions to identify and cancel the accounts of individuals or businesses who deal in cryptocurrencies or run cryptocurrency exchanges.
So according to them, owning crypto itself is not a crime but what you do with it.
7. Suing for Murder a year after death
A person is not deemed to have killed another if the death of that other person does not take place within a year and a day of the cause of death - Criminal Code Act
