The Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly has denied reports that it is set to pass into law a bill seeking to criminalise sexual relationships with married men in the state.
A Facebook post by one Obiavel Albert Abigo claimed that the bill, allegedly sponsored by the Deputy Governor of the state, Senator Akon Eyakenyi, seeks to impose a 10-year prison sentence on women found guilty of engaging in sexual relationships with married men, while men would face a Two million naira fine.
A statement issued on Tuesday by the Chairman, House Committee on Information, Hon. Jerry Otu, described the information as false and an attempt to tarnish the good reputation of the assembly.
He urged the public to disregard the information, noting that the House remains committed to its constitutional role of law-making and will not be swayed by mischievous attempts to undermine its integrity.
The statement reads in part, “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 Assembly wishes to categorically state that this report is entirely false and has no basis in fact. The Assembly has not received or considered any such bill, and the Deputy Governor has not sponsored it.
“We condemn this malicious attempt to tarnish the image of the Deputy Governor and the Assembly, and urge the public to disregard this fake news and any associated commentaries.
The House remains committed to its constitutional role of law-making and will not be swayed by mischievous attempts to undermine its integrity.”
(Punch)
