Section 480A of the Criminal Code Act in Nigeria. Unlawful inquires relating to the possibility of forgery

(1) Any person who, without lawful authority or excuse, the proof of which lies on him, either orally or in writing makes inquiries of any other person, whether in Nigeria or at any place not in Nigeria‐

(a) as to the cost of obtaining or the cost of supplying or as to obtaining or supplying any machinery or instrument or material for the making of any paper or capable of producing in or on any paper any words, figures, letters, marks or lines resembling any words, figures, letters, marks or lines used in or on paper specially provided for any purpose mentioned in paragraph (1) of section 480 of this Code; or

(b) as to the cost of printing or otherwise reproducing or as to printing or otherwise reproducing any document referred to in subsection (1) of section 480 of this Code; no matter by what name such document may be referred to; or

(c) as to whether such other person or any other person is prepared to print or otherwise reproduce or would be prepared to print or otherwise reproduce any such document as aforesaid; or

(d) as to whether such other person or any other person is prepared to obtain or would be prepared to obtain any such document as aforesaid by any means other than paying full value for the same,

is guilty of an offence and liable to imprisonment for one year.

(2) In the case of written inquiries in connection with any of the matters or subjects to which subsection

(1) of this section relates, the fact that such inquiries were reduced into writing shall be sufficient proof of an attempt to commit the offence and the offender shall be subject to a like penalty as if he had committed the offence.

Section 480A of the Criminal Code Act in Nigeria

Act structure