Lagos Warns Husbands: Forcing Wives Into Sex Can Lead to Life Imprisonment

Marriage does not automatically mean consent. In a strong legal warning, the Lagos State Government has declared that husbands who force their wives into sex without consent could face prosecution and life imprisonment under state law, reinforcing the rights of women to bodily autonomy and protection from domestic violence.

According to the Lagos State Ministry of Justice, a husband who forces his wife into sexual relations without her consent may be prosecuted for “sexual assault by penetration” under Lagos State law. The offence carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.

The Lagos State Government has warned married men that forcing their wives into sexual relations without consent is a criminal offence under the state’s laws and could attract life imprisonment.

The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) in the Lagos State Ministry of Justice, Dr. Babajide Martins, issued the warning on Tuesday during a press briefing in Lagos.

Martins spoke at an event organised by the Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency (DSVA) to mark the commencement of the state’s Domestic and Sexual Violence Awareness Month.

Responding to questions on whether a married woman can seek legal redress if her husband has sexual intercourse with her without consent, the DPP stressed that consent remains a fundamental requirement in every sexual relationship.

He explained that although federal law does not expressly recognise marital rape, Lagos State law provides for the prosecution of a husband under the offence of “sexual assault by penetration.”

According to Martins, the offence carries a maximum punishment of life imprisonment.

He emphasised that marriage does not give any husband unrestricted rights over his wife’s body, especially when consent has been withheld.

“Any man who feels that because he paid his wife’s dowry, nobody can challenge him for domestic violence, the wife should report such a man to the Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency,” Martins said.

Clarifying the legal position, he added:

“Under Lagos State criminal law, a man cannotpi be accused of raping his wife if they are together and are on good terms.

“However, once there is an issue between them and the wife refuses to have sex with him, the husband cannot force her. If the husband forces her and the wife reports him, we will not ß him aaaaàaaaaaààaàaàaààáfor rape, but for sexual assault by penetration, and the punishment is life imprisonment.”

Martins, therefore, urged women experiencing domestic or sexual violence to report such 0ppp0incidents to the Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency so that appropriate legal action can be taken.

The warning comes as authorities intensify campaigns against domestic and sexual violence, while emphasising that consent remains a key principle in relationships, including marriage.