10,613 Lagos children suffered emotional abuse after witnessing domestic violence — Lagos govt

The Lagos State Government has issued a stern warning to married men who force their wives into sexual relations without consent, stating that such perpetrators could face life imprisonment under the state's criminal law. Director of Public Prosecutions, Dr Babajide Martins, made this warning during a press briefing at a forum organized by the Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency (DSVA) to kick off the state's Domestic and Sexual Violence Awareness Month.

Martins underscored that consent is crucial in any sexual activity. While federal law does not recognize forced sexual intercourse between spouses as marital rape, Lagos State law provides provisions under which a husband could be prosecuted for sexual assault by penetration, carrying a maximum sentence of life imprisonment. He emphasized that marriage does not grant a husband the right to force his wife into sexual relations, especially when she has expressly refused.

Martins clarified, "A man cannot be charged with raping his wife if they are together and on good terms. However, if there is a dispute and the wife refuses to engage in sexual activity, the husband cannot compel her. If the husband does force her and she subsequently reports him, we will not charge him for rape but for sexual assault by penetration, which carries a life imprisonment sentence."

He urged women who suffer from domestic or sexual violence to report such incidents to the Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency to facilitate appropriate action.