Lagos State Criminal Law: Husbands who Rape Their Wives Face Life Imprisonment
Last update: September 2, 2026
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Think paying bride price gives you automatic access? The Lagos State Government says think again, you could be looking at life behind bars.
Here’s one thing every married man in Lagos needs to hear loud and clear.
The Lagos State Government has issued a serious warning to husbands, forcing yourself on your wife without her consent is NOT okay, and it could land you in prison for life.
This came straight from the Director of Public Prosecutions, Lagos State Ministry of Justice, Haroun Adebayo. He was speaking at a media parley organised by the Executive Secretary of the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency [DSVA], Titilola Vivour-Adeniyi, to kick off the agency’s Awareness Month for September 2026. The event was held in Alausa, Ikeja.
Now, here’s where it gets interesting. Someone asked whether a married woman can sue her husband for rape in Nigeria, like they do in other countries.
Adebayo clarified that under Lagos State Criminal Law, it isn’t technically categorised as “rape” if a couple are together and on good terms.
BUT, and this is a big but, once there’s an issue in the marriage and your wife says no, you cannot force her. If you do and she reports you, you won’t be charged for rape, but for sexual assault by penetration, and guess what the punishment is? Life imprisonment.
In his own words: “Any man who thinks that because he paid his wife’s dowry, nobody can challenge him over domestic violence should report such a man to the Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency.”
He added: “Under Lagos State Criminal Law, a man cannot be accused of raping his wife if they are together and are in 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 charge him for rape but for sexual assault by penetration, and the punishment is life imprisonment.”
So gentlemen, consent doesn’t stop after marriage. No means no, even at home. If you’re experiencing any form of domestic or sexual violence, the DSVA is there to help.
Source: cbinews.tv
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