The Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly is preparing to consider a controversial bill that seeks to criminalise sexual relationships between women and married men within the state.
The proposed legislation, reportedly sponsored by the Deputy Governor, Senator Akon Inyang, aims to make it a punishable offence for any young girl, lady, or woman to engage in a sexual relationship with a man who is legally married. If passed into law, any woman found guilty under the bill would face a mandatory prison sentence of ten years, with no option of a fine.
Under the same proposal, the married man involved in the act would not face imprisonment but would instead be required to pay a fine of ₦2 million. The bill is expected to be presented for deliberation during a plenary session of the House, where lawmakers will debate its provisions and possible implications.
If enacted, the law would mark an unprecedented move in Nigeria, as it would represent the first known state legislation to explicitly criminalise adultery in this manner, despite the fact that prostitution is already considered illegal under existing laws.
The development has sparked intense public debate, especially in light of recent judicial pronouncements affirming that prostitution has no legal protection under Nigerian law and that suspected sex workers can be lawfully arrested and prosecuted. Courts have also maintained that fundamental rights are not absolute and may be restricted in the interest of public morality, order, and safety.
Critics argue that the proposed law places disproportionate responsibility and punishment on women, while supporters believe it could serve as a deterrent and a means of protecting marriages and family values. As discussions continue, the bill has raised broader questions about personal relationships, gender equality, and whether private consensual acts should be treated as criminal offences under state law.
The proposed legislation has already drawn significant attention nationwide and is expected to generate further legal, social, and ethical debates as lawmakers move closer to a final decision.
