The Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly has dismissed as false a viral claim that it is planning to pass a bill criminalising sexual relationships with married men in the state.
The assembly described the report, which circulated widely on social media, as fabricated and a deliberate attempt to mislead the public and damage the reputation of both the legislature and the state’s Deputy Governor, Akon Eyakenyi.
The controversy followed a Facebook post by one Obiavel Albert Abigo, who alleged that a bill sponsored by the deputy governor sought to impose a 10-year jail term on women found guilty of having sexual relationships with married men, while the men involved would pay a fine of ₦2 million.
Reacting in a statement issued on Tuesday, the Chairman of the House Committee on Information, Jerry Otu, denied the existence of such a bill, stressing that the assembly has neither received nor deliberated on any proposal 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.
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“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.”
Otu condemned what he described as a malicious attempt to tarnish the image of the deputy governor and discredit the legislative arm of government, urging members of the public to disregard the claim and related commentaries.
He added that the assembly remains focused on its constitutional responsibilities and would not be distracted by what he termed “mischievous attempts” to undermine its integrity.
