The Akwa Ibom house of assembly has denied online reports claiming that the state legislature is considering a bill seeking to criminalise adultery in the state.
On Monday, some reports, especially on social media, claimed that the purported bill was sponsored by Akon Eyakenyi, deputy governor of the state.
In the viral post, the purported legislation imposes a 10-year prison sentence for single ladies found guilty of having sexual affairs with married men, while the married men involved would only pay a fine of N2 million.
In a statement, Jerry Anson Otu, chairman of the house committee on information, said the claim that the assembly is considering such a bill is “entirely false and has no basis in fact”.
Otu said the viral report was designed to tarnish the image of the Akwa Ibom deputy governor and the assembly.
“The report, attributed to a Facebook post by Obiavel Albert Abigo, claims the bill is sponsored by the Deputy Governor, Senator Akon Eyakenyi, and imposes a 10-year prison sentence on women found guilty of engaging in sexual relationship with married men, while men would face a ₦2 million fine,” the statement reads.
“The Akwa Ibom state house of 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.”