April 1 is a fun-filled day with several pranks but be careful before you play that prank so you don’t land in jail.
The first day of April known as ‘April Fool’s Day’ is not a national day but it is recognised in many countries.
It is a day filled with pranks which are eventually revealed the next day or after a few hours.
Jill Biden Prank
In 2021, on April fool’s day, the United States First Lady Dr. Jill Biden fooled her staff and reporters.
According to reporters with her, the prank took place on the trip back from California.
Dr. Biden wearing a dark dress, jacket, and face mask boarded the plane and took off, they settled in for the in-flight meal service. You know it was just after COVID-19, so, mask does not bother people so much.
After the meal, a flight attendant with short black hair, wearing a black pants suit, black face mask and a name badge reading Jasmine walked through the staff, Secret Service, and press cabins passing out Dove ice cream bars.
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Roughly five minutes after distributing the sweet treats, “Jasmine” reappeared in the press section of the cabin without the wig, revealing her true identity.
The flight attendant turned out to be the First Lady who laughed and said “April Fools”.
this one is sweet right?
Let’s come to Nigeria.
From Prank To Jail
Nigerians and others in several countries now play pranks even on other days apart from April fool’s day.
However, as funny as some of these pranks are, you should consider the provision of the law before playing a prank.
This is to ensure that the prank is safe and does not cause harm that may land you in jail.
What The Law Says
Speaking to The Sun, Kazeem Adekunle Adebanjo, a lawyer, asserts that pranks generally have no place in the laws of Nigeria.
According to him, “a prank that leads to the assault of the victim is no longer a prank unless he consents to it under the principle of volenti non-fit injuria.
“That means that no harm is done to he who is willing.
“The victim has every right to sue the prankster for assault and claim damages.
“The only defence available to the prankster is where the victim consented to being pranked and the skit is done for the entertainment of the watching public,” he says.
However, another lawyer, Cynthia Dom-Attah, also argues that “prank” is not forgiving under Nigerian laws as written in Section 24 of the Criminal Code.
“It is pure defamation of character and a huge damage will be awarded,” she says.
“Whether the prank goes right or wrong, it may result in legal trouble for the people who initiate or actively participate in the prank.
“Any person who publishes any defamatory matter is guilty of a misdemeanor and is liable to imprisonment for one year.
“And any person who publishes any defamatory matter knowing it to be false is liable to imprisonment for two years,” Dom-Attah adds.
In Iran, Thread With Caution
Last year, 17 pranksters were arrested in Iran for pulling a string of pranks.
Men smashed cream pies into the faces of hapless bystanders on metro escalators.
Actors posed as private taxi drivers and proceeded to spray passengers with red paint guns.
Young people also tossed eggs at unwitting pedestrians.
However, the government did not find it funny and this led to their arrest.
Therefore, before playing a prank you should note that causing harm or defaming someone with your prank may land you in jail.
Enjoy your April Fool’s Day. Have fun.
