The Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly has dismissed as false a report circulating on social media claiming that it plans to pass a bill criminalising sexual relationships with married men.
The Assembly, in a statement issued on Monday, described the report as fabricated and misleading.
Naijaonpoint reports that the statement was signed by Jerry Anson Otu, Chairman of the House Committee on Information, on behalf of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly
The statement said the report, attributed to a Facebook post by one Obiavel Albert Abigo, alleged that the proposed bill was sponsored by the Deputy Governor, Akon Eyakenyi, and sought to impose a 10-year prison sentence on women found guilty of having sexual relationships with married men, while men involved would pay a ₦2 million fine.
However, the Assembly said no such bill had been presented, debated or considered by the House.
“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,” the statement read.
The Assembly condemned what it described as a malicious attempt to tarnish the image of the Deputy Governor and the legislature, urging members of the public to disregard the report and related commentaries.
It reaffirmed its commitment to its constitutional responsibilities and said it would not be distracted by attempts to undermine its integrity.