Akwa Ibom Dep Gov Denies Sponsoring Bill Criminalising Women for Sleeping With Married Men

Akwa Ibom Dep Gov Denies Sponsoring Bill Criminalising Women for Sleeping With Married Men

The Deputy Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Senator (Dr) Akon Eyakenyi, has firmly denied reports claiming she sponsored a controversial bill before the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, describing the allegation as false, misleading and unfounded.

In a statement issued by her Press Secretary, Mr Omen Bassey, the deputy governor said she was inundated with enquiries following a message widely circulated on social media, which claimed that the House of Assembly would pass a law on Tuesday, January 13, 2026, criminalising women for allegedly sleeping with married men.

The viral report further alleged that the bill, purportedly sponsored by Akon Eyakenyi, proposed a 10-year jail term without an option of fine for any woman found guilty, while the married man involved would pay a ₦2 million fine.

However, the statement categorically refuted the claim, stressing that the deputy governor had not sponsored any bill and was not aware of the existence of such legislation.

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“Her Excellency, Senator (Dr) Akon Eyakenyi, has not sponsored any bill in the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly or anywhere else, and she is completely unaware of the purported bill circulating online,” the statement said.

The deputy governor’s office further clarified that, by constitutional procedure, the deputy governor does not have the authority to independently sponsor bills.

“As a member of the State Executive Council, the Deputy Governor cannot initiate legislation on her own. Any executive bill must first be considered and approved by the Council before being transmitted to the Legislature by Governor Umo Eno or an authorised representative,” the statement explained.

It also noted that the controversial report did not emanate from any official communication channels of either the Akwa Ibom State Government or the State House of Assembly.

The office therefore urged members of the public to disregard the fake report in its entirety and rely only on verified and official government sources for credible information.

Akwa Ibom Dep Gov Denies Sponsoring Bill Criminalising Women for Sleeping With Married Men