A viral social media post claiming that the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly is planning to pass a law jailing women for sexual relationships with married men has been categorically dismissed as false and misleading.
The post, reportedly shared by Facebook user Obiavel Albert Abigo, alleged that Deputy Governor Sen. Akon Eyakenyi was sponsoring the bill, which supposedly would punish women with 10 years in prison and impose a ₦2 million fine on men.
But the House has hit back hard. In a strongly-worded statement on Monday, Jerry Otu, Chairman of the House Committee on Information, described the report as a “fabrication with no legislative basis”.
He emphasized that the Assembly has never received, discussed, or considered any such bill, and that the Deputy Governor has no involvement whatsoever.
“This is a malicious attempt to tarnish the image of both the Deputy Governor and the House of Assembly,” Otu said. “We urge the public to disregard this fake news and any commentaries circulating alongside it.”
Otu further reassured citizens that the House remains firmly committed to its constitutional role of lawmaking, and warned that such mischievous reports will not undermine its integrity or distract from its legislative duties.
This incident highlights the growing problem of viral misinformation, particularly on social media, where outrageous claims can spread faster than facts.
The Akwa Ibom Assembly’s prompt rebuttal is a reminder to always verify news before sharing, especially when it concerns sensitive issues that can damage reputations.
