Section 222 of the Criminal Code Act in Nigeria. Indecent treatment of girls under sixteen

Any person who unlawfully and indecently deals with a girl under the age of sixteen years is guilty of a misdemeanour, and is liable to imprisonment for two years, with or without caning.

[20 of 1960.]

If the girl is under the age of thirteen years, he is guilty of a felony and is liable to imprisonment for three years, with or without caning.

*It is a defence to a charge of the offence defined in this section to prove that the accused person believed, on reasonable grounds, that the girl was of or above the age of sixteen years.

The term "deal with" includes doing any act which, if done without consent, would constitute an assault as hereinafter defined.

Section 222 of the Criminal Code Act in Nigeria

Act structure