Every Nigerian is guaranteed the right to own property under Section 43 of the 1999 constitution, and it is the state’s responsibility to ensure that Nigerians’ lives and property are always protected.
Oftentimes, certain individuals have been implicated as a result of purchasing stolen items, either knowingly or unknowingly.
Stolen property is a commodity obtained through theft, extortion, robbery, false pretence or other types of deception. Possession of stolen goods is a crime because fraud occurred during the acquisition of such property.
As a result, stealing another person’s property is a crime under the criminal laws of Nigeria’s various states and as a general rule in law, a person is presumed to be the thief for being in possession of the stolen property.
How to know if you’re buying a stolen product
When the seller sells too cheaply: When a product has a market value of about N 500,000 and it is sold for about N 50,000, there is a tendency that either the seller is oblivious of the value of such item or it might be a stolen commodity.
When the seller is in a rush to sell the item: If the seller is in so much haste to sell the item, or is not interested in having a conversation about the product and just wants a quick exchange, it is most probably an ill-gotten item and that should be a red flag.
Variation in ownership of the product: If for instance, the name in the documents (receipts) of the item is different from that of the person selling the product, and the seller cannot establish the identity of the name on the receipt, the buyer could be at risk of buying a stolen item.
When the transaction is too secretive: When the seller of a product wants to carry out the transaction in an undisclosed location or appears to be concealing the item or is secretive about having the item without advertising it in the open, there is a high tendency that that product is filched.
How to protect yourself from buying stolen properties
Have evidence such as receipts, pictures of the transaction process or even photos of the seller.
Be sure the seller’s contact details, identity and are gotten and secured so as to questions about the identity of the seller if such arises.
Avoid paying for expensive items in cash. Bank transfers are always advisable because transaction receipts are evidence that it item was bought by the buyer.
It is imperative that the transaction is witnessed by someone who knows both the buyer and the purchaser or both of them.
Consequences of buying a stolen commodity
Section 427 of the Criminal Code Act in Nigeria states that any person who obtains any property through any act establishing a felony or misdemeanour, or through whatever act performed outside of Nigeria that would have constituted a felony or misdemeanour if done in Nigeria.
Consequently, a fine could be paid by someone charged for possessing a stolen property. Fines for receiving stolen property differ widely from state to state. The more valuable the property, the higher the fine will usually be.
