The Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly has denied reports suggesting that it plans to pass a bill aimed at criminalising sexual relationships with married men in the state.
The clarification followed the circulation of a social media post by one Obiavel Albert Abigo, which alleged that a proposed bill sponsored by the Deputy Governor, Senator Akon Eyakenyi, seeks to impose a 10-year jail term on women found guilty of engaging in sexual relationships with married men, while prescribing a fine of ₦2 million for the men involved.
Reacting to the report, the Chairman of the House Committee on Information, Hon. Jerry Otu, described the claim as false, misleading, and deliberately fabricated to damage the image of the legislature.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, Otu stated that the Assembly has neither received nor considered any such bill, adding that the Deputy Governor did not sponsor any legislation of that nature.
“The attention of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly has been drawn to a fabricated report circulating on social media alleging that the House is set to pass a bill criminalising sexual relationships with married men,” the statement said.
“The Assembly wishes to categorically state that this report is entirely false and has no basis in fact. No such bill is before the House, and the Deputy Governor is not the sponsor of any such legislation.”
The Assembly condemned what it described as a malicious attempt to tarnish the reputation of the Deputy Governor and the legislature, urging members of the public to disregard the report and related commentaries.
It reaffirmed its commitment to its constitutional responsibilities and assured residents that it remains focused on credible law-making, free from distractions and misinformation.
