(1) Any person who, being employed in the public service, publishes or communicates any fact which comes to his knowledge by virtue of his office, and which it is his duty to keep secret, or any document which comes to his possession by virtue of his office and which it is his duty to keep secret, except to some person to whom he is bound to publish or communicate it, is guilty of a misdemeanour, and is liable to imprisonment for two years.
Public servant abstracting, etc., documents
(2) Any person who, being employed in the public service, without proper authority abstracts, or makes a copy of, any document the property of his employer is guilty of a misdemeanour and is liable to imprisonment for one year.
Restriction on prosecutions
(3) A prosecution for an offence under the provisions of this section of this Code shall not be commenced except by, or with the consent of, a law officer.
Section 97 of the Criminal Code Act in Nigeria
Act structure