Why It's Not Unlawful to Name One's Dog 'Buhari' - Nigerian Lawyers

Lawyers in Nigeria have expressed their opinion on the trial of an Ogun state Igbo trader who has been incarcerated because he named his dog "Alhaji Buhari."

According to Mr. Monday Ubani, the incoming Second National Vice President of the Nigeria Bar Association, NBA, no offence is committed when someone names his dog after somebody else.

“In the eye of the law, it is not criminal for somebody to name his or her dog after another person. It may be offensive by examining the circumstances under which the incident happened.

However, "expediency would have prevailed on him not to name his dog after somebody he was quarrelling with," he said. “The Bible says wisdom profited for direction. Anything you are doing must be with wisdom. If such a thing would provoke unnecessary argument, you should avoid it.”

“As far as I am concerned, there is no way such offence could be sustained in law. Anybody can name his pet after anybody’s name," Mr. Tunji Muyedeen, a lawyer in Lagos state said.

“He can even call the pet his name. However, spurious charge or charges may be preferred against such person. All of us will be living witnesses to the trial of the man. We will see what evidence the prosecution has to prosecute the accused person.”

Human rights activist, Mr. Okey Nwaguna, on his part said the prosecution must show that accused had the intent to cause breach of public peace.

Culled from Vanguard