AKWA IBOM ASSEMBLY DEBUNKS VIRAL SOCIAL MEDIA CLAIM, SAYS NO SUCH BILL EXISTS

The Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly has debunked a viral social media report claiming that it is considering a bill to criminalise sexual relationships with married men, describing the allegation as false and misleading.

In a press statement issued on Monday and signed by the Chairman of the House Committee on Information, Hon. Jerry Anson Otu, the Assembly clarified that no such bill has been presented to, discussed by, or considered in the House.

The misleading report, reportedly traced to a Facebook post by one Obiavel Albert Abigo, alleged that the Deputy Governor, Senator Akon Eyakenyi, sponsored a bill proposing a 10-year jail term for women involved in such relationships, while prescribing a ₦2 million fine for men.

The Assembly firmly dismissed the claim as a complete fabrication, stressing that the Deputy Governor neither sponsored nor proposed any such legislation. It condemned the publication as a deliberate attempt to misinform the public and damage the reputations of the Deputy Governor and the legislature.

The House urged members of the public to disregard the false report and related commentaries, reaffirming its commitment to its constitutional duties and vowing not to be distracted by what it described as mischievous efforts to undermine its integrity.

#UTVAfrica#