Akwa Ibom assembly denies bill seeking to criminalise adultery

 

The Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly has denied reports circulating online that it is considering a bill to criminalise adultery in the state.

On Monday, social media posts claimed that the proposed bill was sponsored by the deputy governor, Akon Eyakenyi. The viral claims alleged that the legislation would impose a 10-year prison sentence on single women found guilty of having sexual relationships with married men, while the men involved would pay a ₦2 million fine.

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In a statement, Jerry Anson Otu, chairman of the House Committee on Information, dismissed the report as false, saying it was “entirely false and has no basis in fact”.

Otu said the claim was a deliberate attempt to tarnish the image of the deputy governor and the state legislature.

“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 statement reads.

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“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.”