The Lagos State Government is sending a clear message to husbands: paying bride price does not give you the right to force your wife into sex.
Speaking on Monday at the launch of the Lagos Domestic and Sexual Violence Awareness Month, the Director of Public Prosecutions, Dr. Babajide Martins, warned that any man who forces his wife into sex without her consent risks life imprisonment under state law. The event was organized by the Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency, DSVA.
Martins explained that while Nigerian law does not classify forced sex within marriage as rape, Lagos State takes a different stance.
Under the Lagos Criminal Law, the offence is called “sexual assault by penetration.” He said if a husband ignores his wife’s refusal during a disagreement and goes ahead to force her, he can be arrested and prosecuted. The maximum punishment is life in prison.
“When there is a problem between a husband and wife and she says no, that decision must be respected,” Martins said. “If he forces her and she reports, we will not charge him for rape. We will charge him for sexual assault by penetration. And the sentence is life.”
The DPP stressed that consent is still required in marriage, especially when couples are not in agreement. He directly addressed the belief that paying dowry gives a man total control over his wife.
“If you think because you paid dowry, nobody can question you, you are mistaken,” he said. “The law will hold you accountable. Women should report such cases to the Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency.”
Martins urged victims of domestic and sexual violence to speak up and seek legal support and protection from the DSVA.
The awareness month is an annual campaign aimed at encouraging reporting, supporting survivors, and strengthening protection for people affected by domestic and sexual violence across Lagos State.
Leadership Newspapers