List of Punishable Crimes & Offences in Nigeria
In ordinary language, a crime is an unlawful act punishable by a state or other authority. In most countries and for several reasons, certain crimes are more common than others. In Nigeria, it has been noticed that certain crimes are more common than others. I’d be listing the top 20 most common crimes and their punishments in Nigeria so you would be aware of them because, as they say, ignorance of the law isn’t an excuse before the law.
Most Common Crimes and their Punishments
1. Economic Crime
This crime is in many forms. The common denominator for this type of crime is it damages the economy of a country Nigeria in this case, and can even put the country at risk of entering a recession. There are many such crimes. Tax evasion, pipeline vandalism and so much more.
Punishment: Seven years imprisonment with or without a fine.
2. 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.
Punishment for terrorism in Nigeria is life imprisonment or the death penalty if death is involved.
3. Cybercrime
The use of a computer or numerous different digitized devices to commit a crime. Cybercafés 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
Punishment: Ten million naira or five years in prison.
4. Advance Fee Fraud
Advance Fee Fraud information hoodwinks a person to make some upfront payment on a proposed business deal, romance, marriage, contract, etc.
Punishment for a financial crime: Imprisonment for fourteen years or fine or both.
5. Rape
Rape is forcefully having sex with someone against her wish or will, especially using violence. Over 90% of predatory sex is perpetrated by males against females. To some extent, rape reflects the ambivalence, moral decadence, ethical bankruptcy, materialism, corrupt soul, widespread promiscuity, and hypocrisy that have characterized Nigerians over the years.
Punishment for rape: Life imprisonment or a less sentence and would also be required to pay fine.
6. Police Brutality and Hostility
The egregious brutality and hostility of the police force in Nigeria bring into question the need for survival tactics in a no man’s jungle called Nigeria.
The populace has no known defense against police brutality. Police kill innocent citizens and put tags on armed robbers to cover themselves. Innocent Nigerians have paid the price for crimes they never committed.
Punishment for police brutality: Three years imprisonment.
7. Bribery and Corruption
Bribery is a specific offense that concerns the practice of offering something, usually money, to gain an illicit advantage and corruption is an abuse of a position of trust in order to gain an undue advantage.
Punishment for bribery and corruption: Three years imprisonment.
8. Highway robbery / Armed Robbery/ Robbery
This is quite a common crime in Nigeria. It has been a menacing vice and it is even increasingly worse in some cities.
The punishment for robbery: 7 years imprisonment with or without a fine. In cases of violent crimes, the other offenses would be charged separately.
9. Religious Crisis
Whatever crimes are committed during a religious crisis would be charged as such. For example, perpetrators of religious crisis or violence would be liable for murder, arson, rape, and theft if they so do happen and charged and punished accordingly.
10. Abetment
Punishment for abetment: Same punishment for the culpable crime.
11. Criminal conspiracy
Punishment for criminal conspiracy: Six months maximum imprisonment with or without a fine.
12. Slander and libel
Punishment for slander and libel: Imprisonment for three years or fine or both
13. Embezzlement
Punishment for embezzlement: Imprisonment for seven years to fourteen years with fine.
14. Ballot box snatching
Punishment for ballot box snatching: A maximum fine of N50,000,000 or for a term of imprisonment of not less than 10 years or both.
15. Examination malpractice
Punishment for Examination malpractice: Three years imprisonment
16. Hate speech/ Public incitement
Punishment for Hate speech/ Public incitement: one-year imprisonment
17. Forgery
Punishment for forgery: Seven years imprisonment with or without a fine.
18. Physical assault
Punishment for physical assault: Imprisonment for life or fewer sentences with or without the option of fine.
19. Complicity
Punishment for complicity is the same as for the directly responsible crime.
20. Financial Crime
A financial crime is an offence that happens to involve the unauthorized 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.
In Conclusion, 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.
