The Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly has dismissed as false and misleading reports circulating on social media alleging that it plans to pass a bill criminalising sexual relationships with married men.
In an official statement issued on Monday, the Assembly described the report as fabricated and without any factual basis.
The statement, signed by the Chairman of the House Committee on Information, Jerry Anson Otu, on behalf of the Assembly, clarified that no such bill has been presented, debated, or considered by the lawmakers.
According to the Assembly, the viral claim alleged that a proposed bill purportedly sponsored by the Deputy Governor, Akon Eyakenyi, sought to impose a 10-year prison sentence on women involved in sexual relationships with married men, while fining the men ₦2 million. The lawmakers firmly denied this.
“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,” the statement said.
The Assembly condemned the report, describing it as a deliberate attempt to mislead the public and tarnish the image of both the legislature and the Deputy Governor.
Lawmakers urged members of the public to disregard the claim and refrain from spreading unverified information.
The House reaffirmed its commitment to upholding its constitutional responsibilities and maintaining legislative integrity, stressing that it would not be distracted by misinformation or malicious narratives.
