Section 176: Carrying letters otherwise than by post

Any person who, not being authorised by the Postmaster‐General
[1966 No. 84.]
(1) sends or conveys a letter otherwise than by post; or
(2) takes charge of a letter for conveyance,
is guilty of a simple offence and is liable to a fine of one hundred naira.
This section of this Code does not extend to a letter sent or conveyed to a place in
Nigeria with which postal communication has not been established, nor to a letter
exceeding the weight prescribed by law for letters sent by post, nor to a letter sent by
a private friend without hire or reward, on his way, journey, or travel, so as such letter
be delivered to the party to whom it is directed, nor to a letter to be sent out of Nigeria
by a vessel not being a packet boat, nor to a letter concerning goods sent and to be
delivered with it, without any hire or reward being paid or received in respect thereof,
or containing process of, or proceedings or pleadings in, a court of justice, or briefs or
cases, of instructions for counsel and their opinions thereon, or containing a deed,
affidavit, or power of attorney, nor to a letter sent by a special messenger and
concerning the private affairs of the sender, nor to a letter sent or carried to or from
the nearest post office:
Provided always that nothing in this section of this Code shall authorise any of the
persons hereinafter named to carry a letter, or to receive or collect or deliver a letter,
although they shall not receive hire or reward for the same‐
(a) common carriers, except a letter concerning goods which they are conveying;
(b) officers of the Nigerian Postal Service;
(c) owners, masters, or commanders of vessels being passage or packet boats, sailing
and passing between places in Nigeria with which postal communication has been
established, except in respect of letters concerning goods on board, or letters
belonging to the owners of such vessels;
(d) passengers, members of the crew, or other persons on board any such vessels as is
mentioned in paragraph (c) of this section;
(e) owners of, members of the crew, or others on board a vessel passing or repassing
on a river within Nigeria, except with respect to places in Nigeria with which postal
communication has not been established.