A Nigerian lawyer and content creator, Timi Agbaje, has warned that any man who patronises a prostitute, lives off prostitution earnings, or frequently associates with prostitutes is committing a criminal offence punishable by up to two years’ imprisonment under Nigerian law. In a video shared on X (formerly Twitter) on Saturday, Agbaje cited Sections 223 and 225A of the Criminal Code Act, which criminalise various forms of involvement in prostitution, including procurement, facilitation, and financial gain. According to the law, anyone who procures a girl or woman under 18 for unlawful sexual relations, induces a woman to become a common prostitute, arranges for her to leave Nigeria for prostitution, or relocates her within the country for the same purpose is guilty of a misdemeanour and could face two years’ imprisonment. Agbaje said, “Sections 223 and 225 of the Criminal Code state that any man who procures a woman or girl as a prostitute or an inmate in a brothel—that is, someone collecting a commission on another person’s body count—or a man who lives on the earnings of prostitution, resides with a prostitute, or habitually associates with prostitutes is guilty of an offence. “If the girl is a ‘hook-up’ girl and you give her access to your estate or direct her to your house, just as you are granting her access to your home, we will grant you access to prison.” Reacting to Agbaje’s statement, the Delta State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe, supported the claim, stating, “You see that end part? She is the victim; you are the criminal. It is sadly true.” Legal Implications of Prostitution in Nigeria Section 223 of the Criminal Code Act in Nigeria states that “Any person who: (1) procures a girl or woman who is under the age of eighteen years to have unlawful carnal connection with any other person or persons either in Nigeria or elsewhere; or (2) procures a woman or girl to become a common prostitute either in Nigeria or elsewhere; or (3) procures a woman or girl to leave Nigeria with the intent that she may become an inmate of a brothel elsewhere; or (4) procures a woman or girl to leave her usual place of abode in Nigeria, with the intent that she may, for the purposes of prostitution, become an inmate of a brothel either in Nigeria or elsewhere, is guilty of a misdemeanour and is liable to imprisonment for two years. Section 225A of the Criminal Code Act in Nigeria states that: (1) Every male person who knowingly lives wholly or in part on the earnings of prostitution, or persistently solicits or importunes for immoral purposes in any public place, is liable to imprisonment for two years. In the case of a second or subsequent conviction, in addition to any term of imprisonment awarded, he shall also be liable to caning.” (2) Any magistrate who is satisfied, by evidence upon oath, that there is reason to suspect that any premises are being used by a female for prostitution, and that any male person residing in or frequenting the premises is living wholly or partly on the prostitute’s earnings, may issue a warrant authorising law enforcement officers to enter and search the premises and arrest the male suspect. (3) If a male person is proved to live with or habitually associate with a prostitute or is shown to exercise control, direction, or influence over her movements in a way that suggests he is aiding, abetting, or compelling her prostitution, he shall be deemed to be knowingly living on the earnings of prostitution unless he can prove otherwise in court. (4) Any female who, for financial gain, exercises control, direction, or influence over the movements of a prostitute in a way that suggests she is aiding, abetting, or compelling prostitution is liable to imprisonment for two years.” Punch
