'Giving false testimony' in document 'Nigeria - Criminal Code'

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RELEVANT SECTIONS OF THE IMPLEMENTING LEGISLATION

Part 3
Offences against the Administration of Law and Justice and against Public Authority

Chapter 14
Offences relating to the Administration of Justice

117. Any person who, in any judicial proceeding, or for the purpose of instituting any judicial proceeding, knowingly gives false testimony touching any matter which is material to any question then depending in that proceeding, or intended to be raised in that proceeding, is guilty of an offence, which is called perjury.

It is immaterial whether the testimony is given on oath or under any other sanction authorised by law.
The forms and ceremonies used in administering the oath or in otherwise binding the person giving the testimony to speak the truth" are immaterial, if he assent to the forms and ceremonies actually used.

It is immaterial whether the false testimony is given orally or in writing. It is immaterial whether the court or tribunal is properly constituted, or is held in the proper place, or not, if it actually acts as a court or tribunal in the proceeding in which the testimony is given.

It is immaterial whether the person who gives the testimony is a competent witness or not, or whether the testimony is admissible in the proceeding or not.

The offender cannot be arrested without warrant.

118. Any person who commits perjury is liable to imprisonment for Punishment fourteen years. of perjury.

If the offender commits the offence in order to procure the conviction of another person for an offence punishable with death or with imprisonment for life, he is liable to imprisonment for life.

119. A person cannot be convicted of committing perjury, or of counselling or procuring the commission of perjury, upon the uncorroborated testimony of one witness.

Part 3
Offences against the Administration of Law and Justice and against Public Authority

Chapter 14
Offences relating to the Administration of Justice

121. Any person who -

(1) gives, confers, or procures, or promises or offers to give or confer, or to procure or attempt to procure, any property or benefit of any kind to, upon, or for, any person, upon any agreement or understanding that any person called or to be called as a witness in any judicial proceeding shall give false testimony or withhold true testimony ; or

(2) attempts by any other means to induce a person called or to be called as a witness in any judicial proceeding to give false testimony or to withhold true testimony ; or

(3) asks, receives or obtains, or agrees or attempts to receive or obtain any property or benefit of any kind for himself or any other person, upon any agreement or understanding that any person shall as a witness in any judicial, proceeding give false testimony or withold true testimony ;

is guilty of a felony, and is liable to imprisonment for seven years. The offender cannot be arrested without warrant.

Part 3
Offences against the Administration of Law and Justice and against Public Authority

Chapter 14
Offences relating to the Administration of Justice

122. Any person who practises any fraud or deceit, or knowingly makes or exhibits any false statement, representation, token, or writing, to any person called or to be called as a witness in any judicial proceeding, with intent to affect the testimony of such person as a witness, is guilty of a felony, and is liable to imprisonment for three years. The offender cannot be arrested without warrant.

RELEVANT ROME STATUTE PROVISIONS

Article 70
Offences against the administration of justice
1. The Court shall have jurisdiction over the following offences against its administration of justice when committed intentionally:
(a) Giving false testimony when under an obligation pursuant to article 69, paragraph 1, to tell the truth