Prohibited Items Policy

Last Updated: December 31, 2025

1. Introduction

Owode Commerce is committed to maintaining a safe, lawful, trustworthy, and reliable marketplace for buyers and sellers.

This Prohibited Items Policy explains which products may not be listed, advertised, promoted, offered, or sold through the Owode Commerce platform (“Platform”).

Because laws, regulations, payment requirements, and marketplace risks evolve over time, this Policy may be updated periodically.

This Policy forms part of our Terms of Service, Seller Terms (where applicable), and Acceptable Use Policy.

Failure to comply with this Policy may result in listing removal, account restrictions, suspension, permanent removal from the Platform, or legal action where appropriate.

2. Scope

This Policy applies to:

• all sellers;
• all marketplace listings;
• physical products;
• digital products;
• downloadable products;
• promotional listings;
• future marketplace features.

Owode currently supports the sale of products only.

Services may not be listed unless expressly authorised by Owode.

3. Seller Responsibility

Before listing any product, sellers are responsible for ensuring that:

• they have the legal right to sell it;
• it complies with applicable laws;
• it complies with this Policy;
• it does not infringe another person’s rights;
• it is accurately described;
• it is safe for sale where required.

Owode may review listings, but sellers remain solely responsible for the products they offer.

4. Products That Are Prohibited

The following categories are prohibited.

The examples below are illustrative and not exhaustive.

Owode may remove additional products where necessary to protect users or comply with applicable laws.

5. Illegal Products

You may not list products that are illegal to possess, manufacture, distribute, import, export, advertise, or sell.

Examples include:

• stolen goods;
• counterfeit products;
• forged documents;
• fake certificates;
• fake identification documents;
• counterfeit currency;
• forged tickets;
• smuggled goods;
• unlawfully imported products.

6. Intellectual Property Infringement

Products that infringe intellectual property rights are prohibited.

Examples include:

• fake branded products;
• pirated software;
• copied ebooks;
• cracked software;
• unauthorized digital downloads;
• counterfeit fashion items;
• copied artwork;
• products using another company’s trademark without permission.

7. Weapons and Dangerous Items

The following are prohibited:

• firearms;
• ammunition;
• firearm components intended for assembly;
• explosives;
• bomb-making materials;
• military-grade weapons;
• prohibited knives;
• tasers;
• stun guns;
• pepper sprays where prohibited;
• chemical weapons;
• biological agents.

Lawfully permitted safety equipment may be allowed where Owode expressly approves such categories in the future.

8. Hazardous Materials

The following may not be sold:

• poisons;
• radioactive materials;
• hazardous chemicals;
• industrial toxins;
• explosive chemicals;
• unsafe pesticides;
• hazardous waste;
• contaminated materials.

9. Prescription Medicines and Regulated Healthcare Products

The following are prohibited:

• prescription-only medicines;
• controlled substances;
• narcotics;
• unlicensed pharmaceuticals;
• counterfeit medicines;
• unapproved medical devices;
• products making false medical claims;
• products claiming to cure diseases without lawful approval.

Certain over-the-counter products may be permitted where allowed by law.

10. Adult Products and Explicit Content

Owode does not currently permit listings for:

• pornography;
• sexually explicit material;
• explicit adult videos;
• explicit digital downloads;
• escort-related material;
• prostitution-related listings;
• sex toys;
• sexual stimulation devices;
• sexually explicit novelty products.

Owode may review this category in the future.

11. Alcohol, Tobacco and Nicotine

Unless expressly authorised by Owode and permitted by applicable law, sellers may not list:

• alcoholic beverages;
• cigarettes;
• cigars;
• vaping devices;
• e-cigarettes;
• nicotine products;
• shisha products.

12. Recreational Drugs

The following are prohibited:

• cannabis products where prohibited;
• marijuana;
• cocaine;
• heroin;
• methamphetamine;
• psychedelic mushrooms;
• illegal narcotics;
• drug paraphernalia primarily intended for illegal drug use.

13. Wildlife and Protected Species

Products derived from protected wildlife or endangered species are prohibited.

Examples include:

• ivory;
• rhino horn;
• endangered animal skins;
• protected coral;
• shark fins;
• illegal timber;
• protected plants.

Live animals are not permitted unless Owode introduces an approved category in the future.

14. Human Remains and Body Parts

The following are prohibited:

• human organs;
• blood;
• tissue;
• body parts;
• medical waste;
• biological specimens intended for unlawful purposes.

15. Fraudulent and Deceptive Products

You may not sell:

• fake certificates;
• fake academic qualifications;
• counterfeit licences;
• forged permits;
• fraudulent investment products;
• pyramid schemes;
• Ponzi schemes;
• deceptive financial products.

16. Digital Products Used for Illegal Purposes

The following digital products are prohibited:

• malware;
• ransomware;
• spyware;
• phishing kits;
• credential theft tools;
• hacking software;
• software intended to facilitate cybercrime;
• stolen databases;
• leaked credentials;
• illegal IPTV services;
• pirated media.

Legitimate cybersecurity and educational software may be permitted where used for lawful purposes.

17. Products Promoting Violence or Hate

Products primarily intended to promote:

• terrorism;
• organised crime;
• violent extremism;
• racial hatred;
• discrimination;
• incitement to violence;

are prohibited.

18. Unsafe Consumer Products

Products that present unreasonable safety risks may not be listed.

Examples include:

• recalled products;
• unsafe children’s toys;
• products containing banned substances;
• products that fail mandatory safety requirements.

19. Financial Products

Unless expressly authorised by Owode, sellers may not list:

• investment contracts;
• securities;
• cryptocurrencies;
• NFTs;
• token sales;
• unlicensed financial products;
• gambling products;
• lottery tickets.

20. Products Restricted by Law

Owode may prohibit additional products where required by:

• Nigerian law;
• court orders;
• regulatory authorities;
• payment providers;
• insurance requirements;
• international trade restrictions;
• marketplace safety considerations.

21. Future Categories

As the Platform evolves, Owode may permit or prohibit additional product categories.

New restrictions may apply to emerging technologies, digital assets, AI-generated products, regulated goods, or cross-border commerce.

22. Reporting Prohibited Listings

Users who believe a listing violates this Policy are encouraged to report it through our official support channels.

Reports should include sufficient information to help us investigate.

Submitting knowingly false reports may itself violate our Acceptable Use Policy.

23. Investigations

Owode may investigate suspected violations by reviewing:

• listings;
• product descriptions;
• images;
• seller information;
• transaction records;
• supporting documentation;
• complaints received.

We may request additional information from sellers where appropriate.

24. Enforcement

Where we reasonably believe this Policy has been violated, we may:

• remove listings;
• hide listings;
• request additional documentation;
• reject new listings;
• issue warnings;
• suspend selling privileges;
• suspend accounts;
• permanently terminate accounts;
• report unlawful conduct to relevant authorities;
• pursue available legal remedies.

Enforcement decisions will generally depend on the seriousness, frequency, and impact of the violation.

25. Appeals

If you believe your listing or account was affected in error, you may submit an appeal through our official support channels.

We may request additional information before making a final decision.

Submitting an appeal does not guarantee that our decision will be reversed.

26. Relationship with Other Policies

This Policy should be read together with our:

• Terms of Service;
• Seller Terms;
• Buyer Terms;
• Acceptable Use Policy;
• Intellectual Property Policy;
• Refund Policy;
• Delivery Policy; and
• any other applicable Owode policies.

Where another agreement imposes stricter requirements for a particular category of products, that agreement will prevail to the extent of the inconsistency.

27. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Policy from time to time to reflect changes in law, technology, marketplace practices, payment provider requirements, or business operations.

The latest version will always be published on this page with an updated Effective Date.

28. Contact Us

If you are unsure whether a product is permitted before listing it, or if you have questions about this Policy, please contact Owode through our official support channels before creating the listing.