…Says Offence Can Attract Life Imprisonment
THE LAGOS State Government has warned husbands against forcing their wives to have sexual intercourse without their consent, saying perpetrators could face life imprisonment under the state’s criminal law.
The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Lagos State Ministry of Justice, Babajide Martins, gave the warning during a press briefing to mark the commencement of the state’s Domestic and Sexual Violence Awareness Month.
The campaign is part of the state government’s efforts to raise awareness about domestic and sexual violence, encourage victims to report abuse and strengthen support for survivors.
Responding to questions about whether a married woman could take legal action against her husband for having sex with her without her consent, Martins said consent remained relevant within marriage.
He explained that while Nigerian law does not recognise forced sexual intercourse between spouses as marital rape, Lagos State law provides for the offence of sexual assault by penetration, which carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.
According to him, a husband who forces his wife to have sexual intercourse after she has refused could therefore be prosecuted for sexual assault by penetration.
Martins stressed that marriage does not give a husband the right to force his wife into sexual relations.
He urged women experiencing domestic or sexual violence to report such cases to the Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency for appropriate action.
The Domestic and Sexual Violence Awareness Month is an annual campaign aimed at increasing public awareness of domestic and sexual violence, encouraging victims to report abuse and improving support for survivors.
