15 things we do every day we did not know were crimes 

By Oluwayanmife Ayobami

While most people are aware of major criminal offences like murder, assault, theft and fraud, there are also many laws governing lesser-known minor crimes and regulatory offences. 

Unintentional or accidental law-breaking is still law-breaking in the eyes of the legal system. This article explores 15 such crimes and violations of statutes, acts or ordinances that people frequently commit without realizing their actions are actually prohibited.

1. Plagiarism 

Copying significant portions of someone else’s original work such as writing, ideas, research, images, etc. and passing it off as your own without properly attributing the source through citations is considered plagiarism. 

This includes copying directly from a source as well as paraphrasing without citation. Plagiarism is taken seriously under Nigerian Copyright law 2004 as it violates the original creator’s intellectual property rights. If caught plagiarizing, you could face penalties from the educational institution or the publisher.

2. Illegal downloading 

Downloading or streaming copyrighted digital media like movies, TV shows, music, audiobooks, software, games, or electronic publications from unauthorized file-sharing or torrent websites is a form of copyright infringement. 

In Nigeria, it is illegal as it violates the rights of the copyright holders according to sections 15(a) to (g) of the Copyrights Act 2004. You could face fines or jail time for pirating copyrighted content without permission from the legitimate owners.

3. Opening someone else’s mail 

Going through and reading letters, bills, packages or other sealed mail addressed to someone other than yourself without their consent is a violation of their privacy protected by law. According to section 29 of Nigeria Postal Act it is crime and it is punishable by 21 years imprisonment. 

The mail system is intended to ensure private communication gets to the correct recipient securely. Intentionally opening another person’s mail without permission oversteps legal boundaries regarding privacy.

4. Tax evasion 

Failing to accurately report all taxable income amounts to the Nigerian tax authorities to avoid paying the full amount of taxes owed is considered tax fraud or evasion, which are serious criminal Offences . It is punishable under Section 40 of Federal Inland Revenue Service Act

This includes underreporting business or personal income, inflating deductions, failing to file returns, or hiding income in offshore accounts. The government depends on citizens paying their fair share of taxes to fund public services.

5. Unauthorized access

Accessing electronic devices, networks, software, applications, online accounts or files without the consent of the owner is illegal computer misuse. 

This includes hacking passwords to access a stranger’s social media or email, using someone’s computer or WiFi without permission, or installing monitoring software on a shared device without consent. Unauthorized electronic access violates personal privacy and security. It is purnishable under the Cyber-crime Act, 2015. 

6. Cyberbullying

Using digital devices or social media to repeatedly intimidate, threaten, stalk or harass other people in a manner that could reasonably be expected to negatively impact their mental or physical health, cause substantial emotional distress, or make them fearful or feel unsafe online is a form of cyber-harassment or cyberstalking prohibited by law.

7. Trolling 

Posting deliberately inflammatory, aggressive, derogatory, racist or provocative digital messages with the primary intent of upsetting others and causing conflict rather than legitimate discussion is a type of cyber-harassment.

While freedom of expression is important, actions intended to severely distress or disturb others cross legal lines. Article 20 of the Cyber Crimes Law speaks on Trolling majorly. 

8. Jaywalking 

Crossing a roadway in an area not designated or intended for pedestrian crossing, such as mid-block or against traffic lights/signals, when it can reasonably endanger personal safety or disrupt traffic flow. Most areas prohibit jaywalking to protect both pedestrians and drivers.

9. Littering 

Throwing, releasing or dumping trash, debris, cigarettes, food waste or other discarded materials onto public or private property other than into an appropriate waste or recycling bin where it could create unsanitary, unsafe or unhealthy conditions in the environment. 

Littering is an environmental offence according to Federal Environmental Protection Agency Act. 

10. Making excessive noise 

Creating loud or disruptive sounds, including loud music, shouting, slamming doors, vehicle repairs/modifications, or other noise disturbances during designated quiet hours or in a way that substantially interferes with others’ reasonable comfort through walls, ceilings, floors or partitions on residential or other private property. Excessive noise can rise to the level of a public nuisance.

The National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (Establishment) Act of 2007 is the pivotal law on noise pollution in Nigeria.

11. Public intoxication 

Being in a public place in a state of intoxication through alcohol or drugs if a police officer reasonably believes your condition may endanger yourself, disturb others, or cause damage to property. 

This includes behaviors like loudness, aggression, vomiting, incoherence or impaired motor function or judgment while in public view.

12. Soliciting 

Asking for or actively trying to obtain something of value like money, donations, signatures or purchases from people in public areas without proper permits or licensing as required by law in many places. 

This includes panhandling on sidewalks and medians. Permits ensure safety and avoid scams.

13. Trespassing 

Entering or remaining on private property, including land, buildings, vehicles or aircraft, without the consent of the owner or someone authorized to act for the owner. 

Signs or verbal requests are not required for an area to be private property. Trespassing violates the owner’s right to exclude others.

14. Reckless driving 

Operating any motor vehicle on a roadway or public area in a manner that shows deliberate and unjustifiable disregard for basic safety, such as speeding excessively, racing, stunts, road rage or anything else that could reasonably threaten life or property. Reckless actions endanger both the driver and public.

15. Possession of illegal drugs 

Having in one’s custody or control any controlled or prohibited substance that has been deemed illegal by law due to high abuse potential and lack of accepted medical use, such as cocaine, heroin, LSD or ecstasy. 

Possession without legal authorization could lead to fines or imprisonment depending on the type and amount.