TOEPHER INC. OF NEW YORK VS EDOKPOLOR (TRADING AS JOHN EDOKPOLOR AND SONS).
September 2, 2025CHIEF REECE EDUKUGHO VS JEMIDE AWANI
September 3, 2025Legalpedia Citation: (1965-10) Legalpedia 29336 (SC)
In the Supreme Court of Nigeria
Holden At Abuja
Fri Oct 8, 1965
Suit Number: SC 395/1965
CORAM
BAIRAMIAN CHIEF JUSTICE, SUPREME COURT
ONYEAMA JUSTICE, SUPREME COURT
AJEGBO JUSTICE, SUPREME COURT
PARTIES
DURU
APPELLANTS
INSPECTOR-GENERAL OF POLICE
RESPONDENTS
AREA(S) OF LAW
ACCOMPLICE IN PROSTITUTION
SUMMARY OF FACTS
The appellant was prosecuted for an offence under section 225A (1)(a) of the Criminal Code, which provides that” Every male person who (a) knowingly lives wholly or in part on the earnings of prostitution … shall be liable to imprisonment for two years.” etc. Convicted by the magistrate, lost his appeal to the High Court, hence this appeal.
HELD
Appeal allowed.
ISSUES
That he lived in part on the earnings of any prostitute.
RATIONES DECIDENDI
DESCRIPTION OF PROSTITUTION
“Prostitutes, no less than others, require food, clothing, and shelter, and must need pay for them with the earnings of prostitution. If the grocer were to be guilty of living in part on such earnings by selling food to them, he must refuse to sell and they must either beg for food or starve.” Per BAIRAMIAN, J.S.C
CASES CITED
R. v. Louis Okoro
R. v. Silver
R. v. Thomas [ 1957] 2 All. E.R
Shaw v. D.P.P., 45 Cr. App. R.I
STATUTES REFERRED TO
Criminal Code
