Adultery is a criminal offence under the Penal Code of Northern Nigeria. Section 387 and 388 stipulate imprisonment for two years, and/or with a fine
Nigerians have been urged to remain faithful to their spouses in order to avoid the wrath of the law.
A former Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Aliyu Giwa, reminded Nigerians of a law which criminalizes cheating on spouses, for which one could be jailed for two years’ imprisonment when caught.
In a tweet on Saturday, Giwa said adultery is a criminal offence and attracts a punishment of two years in jail.
“Adultery is a crime liable to 2 years imprisonment,” he said.
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According to him, the offence contravenes section 387 and 388 of the Penal Code Law.
Quoting the law, he wrote, “Whoever, being a man/woman subject to any customary law in which extra-marital sexual inter-course is recognised as a criminal offence, has sexual intercourse with a person who is not and whom he knows or has reason to believe is not his wife/husband, such sexual intercourse not amounting to the offence of rape, is guilty of the offence of adultery and shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to two years or with a fine or with both.”
Adultery is a criminal offence under the Penal Code of Northern Nigeria. Section 387 and 388 stipulate imprisonment for two years, and/or with a fine.
It is not prosecuted under the Criminal Code of the Lagos State of Nigeria. However, it provides for redress if a spouse can prove that adultery occurred.