Section 177 of the Criminal Code Act in Nigeria. Illegally making of postal envelopes or setting up post office or office for sale of stamp, or imitating post office

Any person who‐

[1966 No. 84. L.N. 112 of 1964.]

(1) without lawful authority or excuse, the proof of which lies on him‐

(a) makes any envelope, wrapper, card, form, or paper, in imitation of one issued by or under the authority of the Postmaster‐General or of the postal authority of any other country, or having thereon any word, letter, or mark, which signifies or implies, or may reasonably induce a person receiving it to believe, that a letter, newspaper, packet, or parcel, bearing such word,

letter, or mark, is sent on State service, or on the public service of another country; or

(b) makes on any envelope, wrapper, card, form, or paper, in order to its being issued or sent by post or otherwise, any stamp or mark in imitation of a stamp or mark of any post office under the control of the Postmaster‐General or of the postal authority of any other country, or any other stamp or mark, or any word or letter, which signifies or implies, or may reasonably induce a person receiving it to believe, that a letter, newspaper, packet, or parcel, bearing such stamp, mark, word, or letter, is sent on State service, or on the public service of another country; or

(c) issues or sends by post or otherwise, any envelope, wrapper, card, form, or paper, so marked; or

(2) without the authority of the Postmaster‐General, the proof of which lies on the person charged, places or maintains, or permits to be placed or maintained, or to remain in, on, or near, any place under his control‐

(i) the words "post office"; or

(ii) the words "letter box", accompanied with words, letters or marks which signify or imply, or may reasonably lead the public to believe, that it is a receptacle provided by the authority of the Postmaster‐General for the reception of postal matter; or

(iii) any words, letters or marks which signify or imply, or may reasonably lead the public to believe, that any place is a post office, or that any such receptacle is provided by the authority of the Postmaster‐General as aforesaid; or

(3) without the authority of the Postmaster‐General, the proof of which lies on the person charged, places, or permits to be placed or to remain, on any vehicle or vessel under his control the words "royal mail", or any word, letter or mark, which signifies or implies, or may reasonably induce any person to believe, that the vehicle or vessel is used for the conveyance of mails; or

(4) without the licence of the Minister charged with responsibility for postal matters, the proof of which lies on the person charged‐

(i) sells, or offers or exposes for sale, any postage stamp; or

(ii) places, permits to be placed or to remain, on or near to his house or premises the words "licensed to sell stamps", or any word, letter or mark, which signifies or implies, or may reasonably induce any person to believe, that he is duly licensed to sell postage stamps,

is guilty of a simple offence and is liable to a fine of ten naira.

Section 177 of the Criminal Code Act in Nigeria

Act structure