Social media is buzzing over a viral story: a lady allegedly fined ₦450,000 by a magistrate court for accepting ₦150 “transport fare” from a man and not visiting him. While the story sounds dramatic, let’s pause and examine the bigger issues—legally and socially.
1. Is This Even a Real Crime?
Under Nigerian law, simply accepting transport fare and not visiting someone is not inherently a crime. For a court to impose such a fine, there must be:
Evidence of fraud: Was there intent to deceive for financial gain?
Legal basis: No Nigerian law directly criminalizes “collecting T-fare and not showing up.”
Stories like this often go viral without verification, sparking outrage instead of informed discussion.
2. The Real Legal Risk: Fraud & Breach of Contract
If someone repeatedly collects money under false pretenses—promising to deliver something and never intending to—it can amount to obtaining by false pretenses, a criminal offense.
But casual dating disappointments do not automatically equal a court case.
3. The Social Pressure on Women
This story also reveals a toxic culture:
Men often feel entitled to women’s time because they spent money.
Women face shaming and legal threats for refusing visits.
This dynamic feeds harassment, coercion, and harmful gender stereotypes.
4. What We Should Be Talking About
Instead of focusing on “T-fare girls” or “stingy men,” we should:
Educate on consent: Money spent does not equal ownership of someone’s body or time.
Verify stories before sharing: Viral posts can mislead and damage lives.
Push for legal literacy: Many Nigerians don’t know what’s truly a crime and what isn’t.
Bottom line: Whether true or exaggerated, this case should spark conversation about consent, digital misinformation, and legal awareness, not just gossip.