Section 77: Penalty for signalling to smugglers

(1)
Any person who by any means makes any signal or transmits any message from any part of Nigeria or from any ship or aircraft for the information of a person in any ship or aircraft or across the frontier, being a signal or message connected with the unlawful importation or exportation of goods into or out of Nigeria, whether or not the person for whom the signal or message is intended is in a position to receive it or is engaged at the time in unlawful importing or exporting of goods, shall be liable to a fine of two hundred naira or to imprisonment for two years, or to both and any equipment or apparatus used for sending the signal or message shall be forfeited.
[1972 No. 10.]
(2)
If, in any proceedings under subsection (1) of this section, any question arises as to whether any signal or message was or was not such a signal or message as aforesaid, the burden of proof shall lie upon the defendant or claimant.
(3)
If any person whatsoever has reasonable grounds for suspecting that any such signal or message as aforesaid is being or is about to be made or transmitted from any ship, aircraft, vehicle, house or place, he may board or enter that ship, aircraft, vehicle, house or place and take such steps as are reasonably necessary to stop or prevent the sending of the signal or message, without being liable to any prosecution or action at law for so doing.