Akwa Ibom Assembly Dismiss Claims Of Plan To Criminalise Adultery

Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly has denied claims circulating online that it is planning to introduce a law to make adultery a criminal offence in the state.

The rumours, which spread widely on social media on Monday, alleged that the proposed bill was sponsored by the deputy governor, Akon Eyakenyi.

According to a report, the so-called bill would sentence unmarried women to 10 years in prison for having relationships with married men, while the men involved would only be required to pay a fine of ₦2 million.

Responding to the reports, Jerry Anson Otu, chairman of the assembly’s committee on information, said the story is “entirely false and has no basis in fact”.

He said the claim was deliberately created to damage the reputation of both the deputy governor and the state legislature.

The statement reads, “The report, attributed to a Facebook post by Obiavel Albert Abigo, claims the bill is sponsored by the Deputy Governor, Senator Akon Eyakenyi, and imposes a 10-year prison sentence on women found guilty of engaging in sexual relationship with married men, while men would face a ₦2 million fine.

“The Akwa Ibom state house of assembly wishes to categorically state that this report is entirely false and has no basis in fact. The assembly has not received or considered any such bill, and the deputy governor has not sponsored it.

“We condemn this malicious attempt to tarnish the image of the deputy governor and the Assembly, and urge the public to disregard this fake news and any associated commentaries.

“The house remains committed to its constitutional role of law-making, and will not be swayed by mischievous attempts to undermine its integrity.”

KanyiDaily also reported how a housewife, Ajuese Obiora, was stripped nαked and paraded after she was accused of killing her husband by having extra marital affairs in Anambra.