Section 50: Interpretation

(1) In this Chapter, unless the context otherwise requires‐
"import" includes‐
[L.N. 112 of 1964. 1967 No. 27.]
(a) to bring into Nigeria; and
(b) to bring within the inland waters of Nigeria whether or not the publication is
brought ashore, and whether or not there is an intention to bring the same ashore;
"periodical publication" includes every publication issued periodically or in parts or
numbers at intervals whether regular or irregular;
"publication" includes all written or printed matter and everything, whether of a nature
similar to written or printed matter or not, containing any visible representation, or by
its form, shape, or in any manner capable of suggesting words or ideas, and every
copy and reproduction of any publication;
"seditious publication" means a publication having a seditious intention;
"seditious words" means words having a seditious intention.
(2) A "seditious intention" is an intention‐
(a) to bring into hatred or contempt or excite disaffection against the person of the
President or of the Governor of a State or the Government of the Federation; or
(b) to excite the citizens or other inhabitants of Nigeria to attempt to procure the
alteration, otherwise than by lawful means, of any other matter in Nigeria as by law
established; or
(c) to raise discontent or disaffection amongst the citizens or other inhabitants of
Nigeria; or
(d) to promote feelings of ill‐will and hostility between different classes of the
population of Nigeria, but an act, speech or publication is not seditious by reason only
that it intends‐
(i) to show that the President or the Governor of a State has been misled or mistaken
in any measure in the Federation or a State, as the case may be; or
(ii) to point out errors or defects in the Government or Constitution of Nigeria, or of any
State thereof, as by law established or in legislation or in the administration of justice
with a view to the remedying of such errors or defects; or
(iii) to persuade the citizens or other inhabitants of Nigeria to attempt to procure by
lawful means the alteration of any matter in Nigeria as by law established; or
(iv) to point out, with a view to their removal, any matters which are producing or have
a tendency to produce feelings of ill‐will and enmity between different classes of the
population of Nigeria.
(3) In determining whether the intention with which any act was done, any words were
spoken, or any document was published, was or was not seditious, every person shall
be deemed to intend the consequences which would naturally follow from his conduct
at the time and under the circumstances in which he so conducted himself.