The Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly has dismissed as false and misleading a viral social media report alleging plans to pass a bill criminalising sexual relationships with married men.
The Assembly’s rebuttal was contained in a statement issued on Monday in Uyo and signed by the Chairman of the House Committee on Information, Mr Jerry Otu.
Otu described the report, which has been circulating widely on social media, as a fabrication with no legislative basis.
According to him, the claim—allegedly shared via a Facebook post by one Obiavel Albert Abigo—falsely stated that a bill sponsored by the Deputy Governor, Senator Akon Eyakenyi, sought to impose a 10-year jail term on women involved in such relationships, while prescribing a ₦2 million fine for men.
“The attention of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly has been drawn to a fabricated report circulating on social media, alleging that the House is set to pass a bill criminalising sexual relationships with married men.
“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.
“We condemn this malicious attempt to tarnish the image of the Deputy Governor and the Assembly, and urge the public to disregard this fake news and any associated commentaries,” Otu said.
He added that the House remains committed to its constitutional responsibility of lawmaking and would not be distracted by mischievous attempts to undermine its integrity.