Forcing Your Wife Into Sex Could Lead to Life Imprisonment — Lagos Government Warns Men

The Lagos State Government has warned husbands against forcing their wives to have sex without their consent, saying such conduct could expose offenders to criminal prosecution and possible imprisonment.

The warning was issued by the Director of Public Prosecutions, Lagos State Ministry of Justice, Haroun Adebayo, during a media parley marking the commencement of the state’s September 2026 Domestic and Sexual Violence Awareness Month.

Adebayo said the government was using the awareness campaign to draw attention to domestic and sexual violence and encourage residents to understand their rights and responsibilities under Lagos State law.

According to him, while the law contains specific provisions concerning rape within marriage, this does not mean that a husband has an unrestricted right to force himself on his wife.

He explained that where a marital dispute exists and a wife refuses sexual intercourse, a husband who proceeds to force himself on her could face prosecution for sexual assault, depending on the circumstances of the case.

The clarification highlights an important distinction between the legal definition of rape and other forms of sexual violence under Lagos State law.

Consent remains central

The state government’s position reinforces the broader principle that marriage does not automatically remove a person’s right to bodily autonomy.

Adebayo’s warning also comes amid growing efforts by government agencies and civil society organisations to address domestic violence, sexual abuse and other forms of gender-based violence in Lagos.

The Domestic and Sexual Violence Awareness Month is designed to increase public awareness, encourage victims and survivors to seek help, and promote prevention and accountability.

The government urged residents to take issues of domestic and sexual violence seriously and to report cases through appropriate channels.

Why it matters

The warning is significant because misconceptions about marital consent continue to complicate efforts to tackle sexual and domestic violence.

Legal experts and advocates have increasingly emphasised that consent must be freely given, and that coercion, threats or force have no place in a healthy marital relationship.

For couples, the message from the Lagos authorities is clear: marriage should never be treated as a licence for violence or coercion.

As Lagos begins its September awareness campaign, the government is expected to intensify sensitisation around domestic abuse, sexual violence, reporting mechanisms and legal protections available to victims.

eWeekly Magazine will continue to follow developments around domestic and sexual violence legislation, enforcement and public awareness in Lagos and across Nigeria.