Lagos Govt Warns Husbands: Forcing Sex on Wife Can Lead to Life Imprisonment

The Lagos State Government has issued a stern warning to husbands, stating that forcing sex on a wife without her consent can lead to life imprisonment under the state’s criminal law, even though such an act is not legally classified as rape within marriage.

The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for the Lagos State Ministry of Justice, Dr Babajide Martins, gave this warning during a press briefing to kick off the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Awareness Month on Monday, August 31, 2026. The announcement was part of a broader campaign by the state government to raise awareness about domestic and sexual violence and encourage victims to seek legal protection, marking the beginning of a month-long initiative focused on combating gender-based violence across the state.

Responding to questions about whether a married woman could take legal action against her husband for having sex with her without consent, the DPP provided a crucial legal clarification. He explained that while Nigerian law does not recognise forced sex between spouses as marital rape, the Lagos State Criminal Law provides for the offence of “sexual assault by penetration,” which carries a maximum punishment of life imprisonment. This distinction is significant because it means that although a husband cannot be charged with rape under the law, he can still face the same severe penalty under a different legal provision, effectively closing what might otherwise appear to be a loophole in the law.

The DPP drew a distinction based on the state of the marriage, explaining that the legal interpretation depends on the relationship between the spouses at the time of the incident. “Under Lagos State criminal law, a man cannot be accused of raping his wife if they are together and are in good terms,” he explained. However, he stressed that the situation changes when the couple is estranged or in disagreement, emphasizing that the breakdown of marital harmony removes any presumption of consent. “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,” Martins stated, making it clear that the law provides robust protection for women even within the context of marriage.

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This legal interpretation was further clarified by Professor Akeem Olajide Bello during a University of Lagos inaugural lecture in April 2026, adding academic weight to the DPP’s position. He explained that while Section 260 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State retains the traditional spousal exemption in rape, Section 261 introduces the broader offence of sexual assault by penetration without such exemption, creating a legal framework that effectively criminalizes non-consensual sex within marriage under a different name. The implication, he noted, is that although a husband cannot technically be convicted of raping his wife under the law, he may nonetheless be convicted of sexual assault by penetration—an offence that carries the same penalty of life imprisonment. Section 261 defines sexual assault by penetration as the sexual penetration of the anus, vagina, mouth, or any other opening in the body of another person with any body part or object, without consent, and is punishable by life imprisonment, ensuring that the punishment fits the gravity of the offence.

The DPP also addressed the misconception that the payment of a bride price or dowry gives a husband a right to his wife’s body, a belief that persists in many communities across Nigeria. “Any man that feels 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,” he warned, challenging deeply ingrained cultural norms that have historically justified violence against women. He emphasized that being married does not give a man the right to force his wife into sexual relations, especially when there is a disagreement between them, reinforcing the principle that consent must be freely given and can be withdrawn at any time.

While Lagos State has taken this strong stance against non-consensual sex within marriage, the conversation around marital rape remains complex at the federal level, reflecting the broader legal and cultural debates occurring across the country. The Criminal Code Act (applicable in Southern Nigeria) and Penal Code Act (applicable in Northern Nigeria) define rape with some provisions that have traditionally excluded marital rape, creating a patchwork of legal protections that vary depending on where one lives. However, the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) (VAPP) Act of 2015 defines the offence of rape without an exception for marital rape, offering more expansive protection, though its application depends on state adoption, meaning that not all Nigerians benefit from this progressive legislation. Legal experts note that consent must be voluntary, informed, and ongoing, and that marriage, previous sexual relations, or dating do not amount to automatic consent for future sexual activity, a principle that is increasingly being recognized in courts across the country.

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The press briefing marked the beginning of the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Awareness Month, an annual campaign aimed at increasing awareness, encouraging victims to report abuse, and strengthening support for survivors. The 2026 campaign is themed “SGBV — It Ends With Us” , a powerful statement of intent that signals the government’s determination to tackle gender-based violence head-on and create a society where such abuse is no longer tolerated. The Lagos State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Lawal Pedro, SAN, represented by the Executive Secretary of the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency, Titilola Vivour-Adeniyi, disclosed that between September 2021 and July 2026, the DSVA received 33,009 domestic and sexual violence-related cases, a staggering number that underscores the scale of the problem facing the state. Domestic violence accounted for the highest number at 13,515 cases, representing 75.5 percent of reported assaults among adults, making it the most common form of abuse reported to the agency. Other cases recorded included 1,171 cases of defilement, 797 cases of child abuse and physical assault, 420 rape cases, 428 sexual harassment cases, and 100 cases of sexual assault by penetration, painting a comprehensive picture of the various forms of violence affecting residents of Lagos State. One of the most disturbing findings was the identification of 10,613 children who suffered emotional abuse as a result of exposure to domestic violence in their homes, highlighting the devastating intergenerational impact of domestic violence on families.

The data revealed significant patterns in domestic violence reporting, providing valuable insights that can inform prevention and intervention strategies. 35 percent of survivors experienced domestic violence within the first five years of marriage, suggesting that the early years of marriage are a particularly vulnerable period for women. 30 percent of women who reported domestic violence were pregnant when the abuse occurred, a terrifying statistic that points to the heightened risk faced by pregnant women. 76 percent of alleged perpetrators are either employed or self-employed, challenging the notion that domestic violence is limited to families facing economic hardship and demonstrating that abuse cuts across all socioeconomic strata. 90 percent of survivors reported psychological consequences including low self-esteem, post-traumatic stress disorder, extreme fear, and anxiety, revealing the deep and lasting mental health impact of domestic violence. Women constitute the overwhelming majority of reporters, accounting for 88 percent, while men represent 12 percent, a pattern that reflects the gendered nature of domestic violence and the greater vulnerability of women to such abuse.

The Lagos State government restated its commitment to strengthening systems for prevention, early intervention, protection, access to justice, rehabilitation, and support for victims of domestic and sexual violence, emphasizing a comprehensive approach to tackling the problem. Key achievements and support services provided include over 711 cases taken to court, resulting in more than 160 convictions, demonstrating the government’s determination to hold perpetrators accountable. 175 survivors have received free legal assistance, ensuring that even those without financial resources can access justice. 953 survivors, 267 perpetrators, and 304 children have received psychological support, recognizing the importance of mental health services in the healing process. 501 rescue operations involving people considered to be at high risk have been conducted, saving lives and preventing further harm. 20 restraining orders have been obtained, providing legal protection for survivors. 464 SGBV-related cases have been financially supported for investigation and prosecution, ensuring that cases are thoroughly investigated and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

On prevention, the DSVA has reached an estimated 1.96 million residents across Lagos’ 20 Local Government Areas through community sensitisation, market campaigns, school outreach, and engagements with Community Development Associations, a massive public education effort aimed at changing attitudes and behaviors. More than 60,000 educators, parents, and caregivers have been trained through the Lagos State Safeguarding and Child Protection Online Course, building capacity to identify and respond to abuse. The agency is also strengthening prevention by training marriage registrars, religious marriage counsellors, and customary court officials to identify warning signs early and promote healthier relationships, intervening before abuse can occur. More than 466 religious marriage counsellors have completed the Lagos State Religious Premarital Counselling Online Course, equipping them to advise couples on healthy relationships and consent.

The DPP urged women experiencing domestic or sexual violence to report such cases to the Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency for appropriate action, emphasizing that help is available and that the law is on their side. The agency has established Gender-Based Violence Desks in every Local Government in Lagos State to enable people to report cases of sexual and gender-based violence, ensuring that support is accessible in every community. Residents can also report cases through the DSVA toll-free line 0800-0333-333, providing a confidential and accessible channel for seeking help.

Lagos Govt Warns Husbands: Forcing Sex on Wife Can Lead to Life Imprisonment

Tinubu Confirms Rescue of 15 NYSC Members, 6 Others Abducted in Kogi

President Bola Tinubu has confirmed the rescue of 21 Nigerians, including 15 members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), who were abducted by criminal elements in Kogi State last week. The successful operation was carried out by a coordinated team of security agencies and local vigilantes.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu announced on Monday that all 21 abductees, comprising eight males and 13 females, have regained their freedom following a well-coordinated Search and Rescue (SAR) operation. The victims were rescued from a kidnappers’ den in the forests of Ofu Local Government Area of Kogi State on Monday afternoon. The operation was carried out by a combined team of personnel from the military, the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services (DSS), and local vigilantes. The Defence Headquarters confirmed the rescue, stating that the victims were recovered from the Egume-Ochaja forest stretch in the area of operation.

The 15 NYSC members were reportedly abducted last week while travelling from the NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp in Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government Area of Bayelsa State to Abuja. The incident occurred along the Aloma-Egane expressway in Ofu LGA, Kogi State, a route frequently used by travellers moving between the South-South and the North-Central regions of the country. According to reports, the kidnappers contacted some victims’ families and demanded a N20 million ransom for each corps member, placing enormous financial and emotional strain on the families who were already distraught over the fate of their loved ones. However, security forces launched an intelligence-driven operation that successfully rescued all victims without any ransom payment being reported. The Kogi State Police Command confirmed that the rescue followed a coordinated, sustained, and intelligence-driven operation by security agencies. The command’s Public Relations Officer, ASP Afusat Saliu, stated that the operation was launched to secure the safe recovery of the victims and dismantle criminal elements operating in the area, sending a clear message that the state would not tolerate such criminality.

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In a statement posted on his verified X handle, @officialABAT, President Tinubu expressed relief over the successful rescue operation, saying, “I am delighted to receive the news that the fifteen members of the National Youth Service Corps and six other innocent and law-abiding Nigerians abducted last week in Kogi State by some criminal elements have regained their freedom.” The President emphasized that the rescue does not mark the end of the operation, directing security forces to continue pursuing the fleeing kidnappers. “While the abductees have been safely rescued, our gallant security forces are still on the trail of the routed kidnappers, in line with my directive to sustain the pressure on all criminal elements,” Tinubu stated. He further vowed that those responsible for the abduction would face the full weight of the law, and security agencies would pursue everyone who aided this crime, signalling that impunity would not be tolerated.

President Tinubu reassured Nigerians of his administration’s commitment to ensuring the safety of citizens across the country. “My administration remains committed to ensuring that every Nigerian can travel across our country without fear,” he said, addressing the growing anxiety among citizens over the rising incidents of kidnapping and banditry on major highways. He particularly reassured parents and loved ones of NYSC members that the administration remains committed to protecting the lives and property of corps members serving across the nation, acknowledging the unique vulnerability of young service members who are often posted to unfamiliar parts of the country. The President commended the combined search-and-rescue team for their courage and professionalism, while also appreciating the families and loved ones of the abductees for their understanding during the ordeal, recognizing the immense psychological toll that such incidents exact on relatives.

In a trending video circulating on social media, one of the rescued corps members narrated the harrowing experience. According to the victim, they were travelling from Bayelsa to Abuja when the kidnappers stopped their vehicle. The driver attempted to escape but was caught, and the victims were led into the bush while being beaten and shot at, creating an atmosphere of terror and desperation. The kidnappers threatened the victims, warning them not to move without permission or they would be shot, keeping them in a constant state of fear for their lives. The victims spent the night in an open field under the watch of their captors before security forces arrived and rescued them, ending what must have felt like an endless nightmare. The Chief of Army Staff (COAS) , Lt Gen Waidi Shaibu, commended the troops and personnel of other security agencies, as well as local hunters and vigilantes, for their courage, cooperation, and commitment to the successful operation, highlighting the value of inter-agency collaboration in tackling security challenges. One of the male victims reportedly sustained a gunshot wound during the incident and was immediately evacuated to a medical facility for treatment, while all rescued victims are currently receiving medical attention before being reunited with their families.

Tinubu Confirms Rescue of 15 NYSC Members, 6 Others Abducted in Kogi

Lagos pensioners tear-gassed during protest as Sowore demands justice

Police officers in Lagos State reportedly deployed tear gas on Monday to disperse pensioners who gathered at the Lagos House in Ikeja to protest over unpaid pension increases, wage awards and arrears.

The retirees, drawn from the Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP) and the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS), had converged on the Lagos State Government premises to demand the implementation of pension increases they said had been approved and the payment of accumulated benefits.

The protest followed an earlier demonstration by the pensioners, who had accused the Lagos State Government and the Lagos State Pension Commission (LASPEC) of delaying the implementation of outstanding pension adjustments.

The retirees had subsequently set August 31, 2026, as a deadline for the government to address their grievances, warning that they would embark on further action if their demands were not met.

The Monday protest reportedly became tense after police officers fired tear gas to disperse the pensioners, forcing some of the elderly protesters away from the government premises.

The incident has generated criticism from activists and political figures, with concerns raised over the use of force against elderly citizens during a demonstration over their welfare.

The pensioners have alleged that several approved pension adjustments and wage awards remain outstanding.

Chairman of the Lagos State chapter of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners, Olarewaju Caleb, said the retirees were demanding payment of 57 months of arrears of the 2019 consequential adjustment, alongside arrears relating to the 20 per cent and 28 per cent pension increases approved in 2024.

They are also demanding payment of the N32,000 wage award for state pensioners, which they said should have commenced in January 2024.

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Retirees under the Contributory Pension Scheme have similarly demanded outstanding increases dating back several years, including the 15 per cent pension increase of 2010, the 33 per cent increase associated with the 2019 consequential adjustment and the 20 per cent and 28 per cent increases approved in 2024.

The pensioners have argued that the failure to implement the adjustments has worsened the financial pressure faced by retirees, particularly amid rising living costs.

They have also called on Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to meet with them directly and address their concerns.

Some of the retirees reportedly receive monthly pensions that they consider inadequate to meet their basic needs, with their representatives citing payments ranging from about N10,000 to N70,000 for some pensioners.

The protest came shortly after the Lagos State Government defended its record on pension payments.

The government said the Lagos State Pension Commission had paid N168.2 billion to more than 48,000 retirees since 2007.

It further stated that between May 2019 and August 2026, the state disbursed about N92 billion in accrued rights to more than 25,000 retirees.

The government described the figures as evidence of its commitment to pensioners and what it called a strong performance on pension matters.

The state also highlighted a N5 billion single-batch payment in July 2024, which it said helped clear pension backlogs that existed at the time.

The pensioners, however, maintained that the government’s payment figures did not resolve the specific issues at the centre of their current protest.

Their representatives argued that the payments made over the years should not be treated as discretionary gifts because the affected retirees contributed to pension arrangements during their years of public service.

The dispute has consequently developed into a disagreement over both the scale of payments already made and the outstanding liabilities the pensioners say remain unresolved.

Reacting to the reported use of tear gas, African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore condemned the police action and demanded accountability.

Sowore described the incident as an “unprovoked attack” on elderly citizens who were peacefully demanding their retirement entitlements.

He said pensioners who spent years serving the country deserved dignity and respect rather than force while seeking benefits they believed were legally due to them.

“It is bad enough that these senior citizens are being denied their legitimate post-retirement entitlements after giving years of their lives in service. To then unleash tear gas on them for peacefully demanding what is rightfully theirs is cruel, reckless, and completely unacceptable,” Sowore said.

The AAC candidate also called for the police officers allegedly responsible for deploying the tear gas to be identified, arrested and investigated.

He demanded prosecution if investigations establish that the officers acted unlawfully, stressing that those responsible should face the consequences of their actions.

“Our pensioners deserve their entitlements, dignity, and respect, not brutality,” Sowore said.

The controversy has also raised broader questions about the policing of peaceful protests, particularly demonstrations involving elderly citizens.

While the Lagos State Government has pointed to billions of naira already paid to retirees, the pensioners insist that the figures do not address the specific arrears and pension adjustments they are demanding.

The retirees have therefore continued to press for a direct resolution of the dispute, including payment of the outstanding pension increases, wage awards and arrears.

The reported use of tear gas has now added another dimension to the dispute, with attention shifting from pension payments to the conduct of security personnel and the treatment of elderly protesters.

The pensioners are expected to continue engaging the Lagos State Government over their demands, while critics are calling for an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the police response.

The immediate challenge for the state government is to reconcile its account of payments to retirees with the specific claims being made by the pensioners and prevent the dispute from escalating further.

For the retirees, however, the issue goes beyond the figures announced by the government. They want the approved pension increases and wage awards implemented and the outstanding arrears paid.

Until those issues are resolved, the dispute over Lagos pension arrears and pensioners’ welfare is likely to remain a major issue between the retirees and the state government.

Lagos pensioners tear-gassed during protest as Sowore demands justice