The Lagos State Government has warned married men against forcing their wives into sexual relations, stressing that marriage does not give any husband the right to ignore his wife’s consent.
The warning was issued by the Director of Public Prosecutions, Lagos State Ministry of Justice, Dr Babajide Martins, during a briefing to mark the commencement of the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Awareness Month.
Martins explained that a husband who forces his wife into sex after she has withheld consent could face prosecution for sexual assault by penetration, an offence that carries a maximum punishment of life imprisonment under Lagos State law.
He said, “Any man that feels because he paid his wife’s dowry, nobody can challenge him for domestic violence, the wife should report such a man to the Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency.”
The DPP clarified that while the legal classification of such offences differs in the context of marriage, forced sexual intercourse remains punishable under the state’s criminal laws.
“Once there is an issue between them and the wife refuses to have sex with him, the husband cannot force her,” Martins said, adding that offenders could be charged with sexual assault by penetration.
He urged victims of domestic and sexual violence to report cases to the appropriate authorities, stressing the need for greater awareness and protection for survivors.
