Lagos DPP warns husbands against forcing wives into sex

The Lagos State Government has warned married men against forcing their wives to have sexual intercourse without their consent, saying offenders could face life imprisonment.

The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) in the Lagos State Ministry of Justice, Dr Babajide Martins, gave the warning during a press briefing to mark the commencement of the state’s Domestic and Sexual Violence Awareness Month.

Martins explained that although Nigerian law does not classify forced sex within marriage as rape in certain circumstances, the Lagos State Criminal Law provides for the offence of sexual assault by penetration.

He said the offence carries a maximum punishment of life imprisonment.

According to the DPP, a husband cannot force his wife into sexual intercourse after she has clearly withdrawn her consent.

He explained that where a dispute exists between a couple and the wife refuses sexual intercourse, the husband could face prosecution if he uses force to have sex with her.

Martins also warned men against assuming that marriage gives them an unrestricted right to their wives’ bodies.

He urged women experiencing domestic or sexual violence to report such cases to the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency for appropriate intervention and legal action.

The DPP stressed that the payment of a bride price or the existence of a marriage does not give a man the right to subject his wife to violence or force her into sexual activity against her will.

The warning comes amid renewed calls for greater awareness and stronger action against domestic and sexual violence in Lagos State.