By Ighomuaye Lucky. O
The Lagos State Government has issued a stern warning to husbands against forcing their wives to have sex without consent, stressing that such an act could attract life imprisonment under the state’s laws.
The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Lagos State Ministry of Justice, Haroun Adebayo, gave the warning during a media parley held to mark the commencement of the state’s September 2026 Domestic and Sexual Violence Awareness Month.
Adebayo explained that under Lagos State law, a husband may not be charged with rape for having non-consensual sex with his wife while the marriage is ongoing.
However, he noted that the situation could be different where there is a marital dispute and the wife has expressly refused sexual intercourse.
In such circumstances, a husband who forces himself on her could face prosecution for sexual assault by penetration, an offence punishable by life imprisonment.
The DPP emphasised that the payment of bride price does not give a husband ownership over his wife’s body or the right to compel her to have sex against her will.
He further stressed that marriage does not provide immunity from prosecution where acts of domestic or sexual violence are committed.
Adebayo urged victims of domestic and sexual violence to speak out and report such incidents to the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency (DSVA) for appropriate intervention and legal action.
The warning comes as Lagos intensifies efforts to raise public awareness and combat domestic and sexual violence across the state.
