Lagos Warns Husbands: Non-Consensual Sex Can Lead to Life Imprisonment

The Lagos State government issued a warning to husbands regarding non-consensual sex with their wives, stating that such actions could result in life imprisonment. This announcement was made by Adebayo Harow, the director of Public Prosecution at the Lagos State Ministry of Justice, during a briefing on the launch of the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Awareness (DSVA) initiative.

Harow addressed a question about the legal standing of married women suing their husbands for rape, explaining that while Nigerian law does not classify this as rape, it is categorized as 'Sexual Assault by Penetration,' which carries a life sentence under Lagos state law. He emphasized that if a husband forces sexual relations when the couple is not on good terms, the wife has the right to report him.

Harow also noted that a man cannot be charged with rape if the couple is in good standing, but if there is a dispute and the wife refuses consent, the husband cannot force her.