THINGS NIGERIANS GET ARRESTED FOR (THAT ARE NOT ACTUALLY CRIMES)
Every single day on Nigerian streets, thousands of citizens are harassed, extorted, or publicly shamed by security agents and local authorities for things that are 100% legal.
Section 36(12) of the Nigerian Constitution is very clear: You cannot be punished or arrested for an offense unless that offense is explicitly written down in a law.
If you or anyone you know has been intimidated for any of these 9 things, it’s time to learn the law.
1...... Having Dreadlocks, Tattoos, or Dressing "Indecently" ( or cross dressing)
This is the biggest source of daily harassment for young Nigerians. Task forces and officers will stop you simply for wearing a crop top, ripped jeans, or having dreadlocks.
The Law:
There is no law in Nigeria that makes your hairstyle, body art, or clothing choice a crime. "Bad dressing" might be a moral issue for your community, but it is not a legal offense.
2.....Making a Phone Call at a Police Checkpoint, We’ve all seen it. An officer aggressively shouts, "Why are you on your phone? Hang up now!" and threatens to seize the phone or lock you up.
The Law:
There is absolutely no section in the Police Act, Criminal Code, or Cybercrimes Act that forbids you from receiving or making a phone call while passing a checkpoint.
3.....Impregnating a Consenting Adult
If a woman gets pregnant out of wedlock, the family often threatens to "lock the man up" or involves the police to force a marriage.
The Law:
Between two consenting adults (18 and above), pregnancy is a family or religious issue. The police have zero jurisdiction here because adultery and fornication are not crimes under Southern Nigerian criminal law. It is strictly a civil and domestic matter.
4..... Filming or Recording the Police in Public
People are frequently beaten or arrested for pulling out their phones to record officers during an altercation or an illegal search.
The Law:
Public spaces are public. Recording a public official performing their duties is not a crime...
Nigeria's police leadership has repeatedly confirmed that citizens have the right to record officers for accountability, provided they don't physically obstruct them.
5...... Staying Out Late (The "Night Raiding" Scam) Police vans love to raid bus stops or streets at 10:00 PM or 11:00 PM, packing innocent commuters into the back of the truck for "wandering."
The Law:
The law on "Wandering" was completely abolished in Nigeria back in 1989. You have a constitutional right to freedom of movement at any hour of the day or night, unless there is a government-declared curfew.
6....... Failure to Pay a Financial Debt
If you owe money and cannot pay on time, creditors love to bring police officers to arrest you or lock you in a cell until your family raises the money.
The Law:.
A debt is a breach of contract, which is a civil matter. Section 8(2) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) explicitly forbids the police from arresting someone over a purely civil wrong or debt.
7...... Walking Around Without an Identity Card
Vigilantes and security agents frequently arrest pedestrians simply because they cannot produce a national ID card or student ID on demand.
The Law:
While it is highly advisable to carry an ID for safety, failing to carry one is not a criminal offense under any Nigerian statute. You cannot be legally arrested just because you forgot your wallet at home.
8...... Being Friends or Living with Someone of the Same Sex, People are often blackmailed or threatened with the "14-year jail term" law just for walking down the street or sharing a flat with a friend of the same gender.
The Law:
The Same-Sex Marriage (Prohibition) Act criminalizes the formal solemnization of marriage or public displays of amorous affection. It does not make friendship, cohabitation, or walking down the street with a same-sex friend illegal.
9.....Renting an Apartment as a Single Man or Woman, Some landlords or local estate associations claim it is "against the law" or a security risk for a young, unmarried person to rent a flat without a spouse's signature.
The Law:
Section 42 of the Constitution strictly forbids discrimination based on sex or marital status. You have the absolute legal right to acquire and rent property anywhere in Nigeria, regardless of your relationship status.
Which of these 9 things have you or a friend been harassed for the most? Have you ever had to pay your way out of any of these situations?
Drop your experiences below, let's expose these extortion tactics!
#KnowYourRights
#NigerianLawTHINGS NIGERIANS GET ARRESTED FOR (THAT ARE NOT ACTUALLY CRIMES)
Every single day on Nigerian streets, thousands of citizens are harassed, extorted, or publicly shamed by security agents and local authorities for things that are 100% legal.
Section 36(12) of the Nigerian Constitution is very clear: You cannot be punished or arrested for an offense unless that offense is explicitly written down in a law.
If you or anyone you know has been intimidated for any of these 9 things, it’s time to learn the law. 👇
1...... Having Dreadlocks, Tattoos, or Dressing "Indecently" ( or cross dressing)
This is the biggest source of daily harassment for young Nigerians. Task forces and officers will stop you simply for wearing a crop top, ripped jeans, or having dreadlocks.
The Law:
There is no law in Nigeria that makes your hairstyle, body art, or clothing choice a crime. "Bad dressing" might be a moral issue for your community, but it is not a legal offense.
2.....Making a Phone Call at a Police Checkpoint, We’ve all seen it. An officer aggressively shouts, "Why are you on your phone? Hang up now!" and threatens to seize the phone or lock you up.
The Law:
There is absolutely no section in the Police Act, Criminal Code, or Cybercrimes Act that forbids you from receiving or making a phone call while passing a checkpoint.
3.....Impregnating a Consenting Adult
If a woman gets pregnant out of wedlock, the family often threatens to "lock the man up" or involves the police to force a marriage.
The Law:
Between two consenting adults (18 and above), pregnancy is a family or religious issue. The police have zero jurisdiction here because adultery and fornication are not crimes under Southern Nigerian criminal law. It is strictly a civil and domestic matter.
4..... Filming or Recording the Police in Public
People are frequently beaten or arrested for pulling out their phones to record officers during an altercation or an illegal search.
The Law:
Public spaces are public. Recording a public official performing their duties is not a crime...
Nigeria's police leadership has repeatedly confirmed that citizens have the right to record officers for accountability, provided they don't physically obstruct them.
5...... Staying Out Late (The "Night Raiding" Scam) Police vans love to raid bus stops or streets at 10:00 PM or 11:00 PM, packing innocent commuters into the back of the truck for "wandering."
The Law:
The law on "Wandering" was completely abolished in Nigeria back in 1989. You have a constitutional right to freedom of movement at any hour of the day or night, unless there is a government-declared curfew.
6....... Failure to Pay a Financial Debt
If you owe money and cannot pay on time, creditors love to bring police officers to arrest you or lock you in a cell until your family raises the money.
The Law:.
A debt is a breach of contract, which is a civil matter. Section 8(2) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) explicitly forbids the police from arresting someone over a purely civil wrong or debt.
7...... Walking Around Without an Identity Card
Vigilantes and security agents frequently arrest pedestrians simply because they cannot produce a national ID card or student ID on demand.
The Law:
While it is highly advisable to carry an ID for safety, failing to carry one is not a criminal offense under any Nigerian statute. You cannot be legally arrested just because you forgot your wallet at home.
8...... Being Friends or Living with Someone of the Same Sex, People are often blackmailed or threatened with the "14-year jail term" law just for walking down the street or sharing a flat with a friend of the same gender.
The Law:
The Same-Sex Marriage (Prohibition) Act criminalizes the formal solemnization of marriage or public displays of amorous affection. It does not make friendship, cohabitation, or walking down the street with a same-sex friend illegal.
9.....Renting an Apartment as a Single Man or Woman, Some landlords or local estate associations claim it is "against the law" or a security risk for a young, unmarried person to rent a flat without a spouse's signature.
The Law:
Section 42 of the Constitution strictly forbids discrimination based on sex or marital status. You have the absolute legal right to acquire and rent property anywhere in Nigeria, regardless of your relationship status.
Which of these 9 things have you or a friend been harassed for the most? Have you ever had to pay your way out of any of these situations?
Drop your experiences below, let's expose these extortion tactics! 👇
#KnowYourRights #NigerianLaw
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