The Nigerian Criminal Code is the apex codified law in

Nigeria Nigeria ( ), , ig, Naìjíríyà, yo, Nàìjíríà, pcm, Naijá , ff, Naajeeriya, kcg, Naijeriya officially the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a country in West Africa. It is situated between the Sahel to the north and the Gulf o ...

for

criminal investigation Criminal investigation is an applied science that involves the study of facts that are then used to inform criminal trials. A complete criminal investigation can include searching, interviews, interrogations, evidence collection and preservat ...

, trial and punishment of criminals. It is derived from the Nigeria Criminal Code Act 1916, Nigeria Penal Code Act 1960 and other criminal laws enacted by

Nigerian Parliament The National Assembly of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is a bicameral legislature established under section 4 of the Nigerian Constitution. It consists of a Senate with 109 members and a 360-member House of Representatives. The body, modeled ...

from time to time. The latest consolidated version of the code is contained in Nigerian Criminal Code 1990.

Background

The Nigerian Criminal Code has been adapted from different laws in force in the country in different time periods since its colonial occupation by foreign governments. It includes the local African common laws and

English laws English law is the common law legal system of England and Wales, comprising mainly criminal law and civil law, each branch having its own courts and procedures. Principal elements of English law Although the common law has, historically, b ...

borrowed from British dependencies.

Scope and limitations

It may be noted that the criminal code in

does not apply uniformly to all people in all provinces of the country. Most provisions of the Nigeria Penal Code apply only to the Northern Provinces in Nigeria.

References

Nigerian criminal law {{Nigeria-law-stub