Have you noticed that every few weeks, Nigeria’s internet communities produce a new law? Last month, it was a rumoured tax on prayers. Before that, there was a ban on ‘night vigils’.
This week, the streets of social media woke up to a new decree from the ‘Republic of Imagination’ that Akwa Ibom State is allegedly about to jail women for ‘sleeping with married men’.
According to the viral message, a bill before the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly would sentence any ‘young girl, lady or woman’ caught with a married man to ten years in prison without an option of fine, while the man would simply pay two million and go home.
The message further named the Deputy Governor, Senator Akon Eyakenyi, as the sponsor.
It was the kind of story that spreads fast because it feels believable in a country where laws sometimes appear without warning and logic often takes a lunch break.
In a statement issued by her Press Secretary, Omen Bassey, the Deputy Governor categorically denied the claim. The office described the report as ‘false and misleading’ and stated clearly that Senator Eyakenyi has not sponsored any bill in the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly or anywhere else.
More importantly, the statement explained something many Nigerians do not know, and that is a deputy governor cannot just wake up and sponsor a bill.
As a member of the State Executive Council, she does not have the authority to independently initiate legislation. Any executive bill must first be discussed and approved by the council and then transmitted to the house by the governor or an authorised representative.
In other words, even if someone in government wanted to criminalise romance in this dramatic fashion, there is a process, and no such process is happening.
The statement also pointed out that the story did not originate from any official channel of the Akwa Ibom State government or the State House of Assembly. That is another red flag.
This episode speaks to how easily Nigerians are herded into outrage without evidence and how quickly misinformation becomes ‘breaking news’ once it fits our fears.
There are simple questions every citizen should learn to ask before believing a story like this. Who is the original source? Is it a government website, an official handle, or a recognised news organisation quoting named officials? Or is it a screenshot from ‘unknown admin’?
Is there attribution? Real reports name institutions, quote verifiable spokespeople, and provide context. Fake ones rely on vibes and urgency.
Does the claim align with how government actually works? In Nigeria, laws do not appear by magic. They move through known processes involving executive councils, assemblies, committees, and debates. Any story that skips these steps is likely skipping the truth, too.
Can you find the same report on the official channels of the state government or the House of Assembly? If the law is real, it will not exist only on WhatsApp, Facebook or X.
This does not mean citizens should blindly trust the government because scepticism is healthy. But there is a difference between healthy doubt and digital unawareness.
When we share unverified claims, we do two dangerous things. First, we amplify falsehoods that waste public energy and distort civic debate. Second, we weaken our own power because when everything becomes ‘possible’, nothing remains provable.
Today, it is a fake bill about married men. Tomorrow, it could be a fake announcement about elections, security, health, or taxation. In moments of crisis, such misinformation can cause real harm.
The deputy governor’s office has done what institutions should do. Now the responsibility shifts back to us. Before you forward that shocking screenshot, pause and ask: Who said this? Where did it come from? Can I verify it?
Photo source: Senator Akon Eyakenyi via Facebook
