Lagos Warns Husbands Against Forced S3x, Says Offence Could Attract Life Imprisonment
Lagos Warns Husbands Against Forced S3x, Says Offence Could Attract Life Imprisonment
Lagos Warns Husbands Against Forced S3x, Says Offence Could Attract Life Imprisonment
The Lagos State Government has warned husbands against forcing their wives to have sexual intercourse without their consent, stressing that such conduct could constitute a criminal offence punishable by up to life imprisonment under the state’s laws.
The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Lagos State Ministry of Justice, Dr. Babajide Martins, gave the warning during the commencement of the state’s Domestic and Sexual Violence Awareness Month.
Addressing questions on sexual consent within marriage, Martins explained that although Nigerian law does not specifically recognise marital rape, the Lagos State Criminal Law provides for the offence of sexual assault by penetration, which carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.
He said a husband could face prosecution under the provision if he forces sexual intercourse on his wife after she has expressly refused to consent.
Martins stressed that marriage or the payment of bride price does not give a husband the right to subject his wife to domestic or sexual violence.
“Any man that feels because he paid his wife’s dowry, nobody can challenge him for domestic violence, the wife should report such a man to the Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency,” he said.
The DPP further clarified the legal distinction between rape and sexual assault by penetration under Lagos State law, particularly in cases involving married couples.
According to him, where a wife refuses sexual intercourse and her husband uses force against her, the matter may be prosecuted as sexual assault by penetration rather than rape, with the offence carrying a possible life sentence.
Martins urged women experiencing domestic or sexual violence to speak out and report such incidents to the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency and other appropriate authorities for protection and legal intervention.
He emphasised that no person should use marriage, bride price or family status as justification for violence or the violation of another person’s consent.
Lagos Warns Husbands Against Forced S3x, Says Offence Could Attract Life Imprisonment
