By Funmilayo Olagunju
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False accusation is the allegation of wrongdoing which is neither true nor supported by facts. Conspiracy is an agreement by two or more persons to commit an unlawful act, coupled with an intent to achieve the agreement’s objectives, and action or conduct that furthers the agreement: a combination for an unlawful purpose.
While it it possible to for an individual to levy false accusation against another, conspiracy to bring false accusation requires the joint act of at least two persons. Section 125 of the Nigerian Criminal Code Act proscribes conspiracy to bring false accusation:
“Any person who conspires with another to charge any person or cause any person to be charged with any offence, whether alleged to have been committed in Nigeria or elsewhere, knowing that such person is innocent of the alleged offence or not believing him to be guilty of the alleged offence, is guilty of a felony.
If the offence is such that a person convicted of it is liable to be sentenced to death or to imprisonment for life, the offender is liable to imprisonment for life.
If the offence is such that a person convicted of it is liable to be sentenced to imprisonment, but for a term less than life, the offender is liable to imprisonment for fourteen (14) years.
In any other case the offender is liable to imprisonment for seven years. The offender cannot be arrested without warrant.
“Do not spread false reports. Do not help a guilty person by being a malicious witness”
Exodus 23:1 (NIV)
