Domestic violence is a problem in Nigeria - particularly against women.

I had to get down from my vehicle to prevent a man from beating his wife/girlfriend with a long piece of rubber by the side of a major road in Ibadan a few days ago (April 10, 2015). I can only hope he did not go ahead with it when they got to their destination. There are a few laws with regards to domestic violence in Nigeria that need to be reviewed. I cite 3 below:

In northern Nigeria, the beating of a wife for the purpose of correction is legal by use of (Section 55 (1) (d) of the Penal Code. It appears a bill was enacted in 2000 to have it deleted but I do not believe it passed. 

Section 353 of the Criminal Code provides that “Any person who unlawfully and indecently assaults any male person is guilty of a felony, and is liable to imprisonment for three years. The offender cannot be arrested without warrant.” On the other hand, Section 360 provides that “Any person who unlawfully and indecently assaults a woman or girl is guilty of a misdemeanor, and is liable to imprisonment for two years". Why is the punishment less when the victim is a woman?

Under the Nigerian criminal law, a man cannot rape his wife. Section 182 of the Penal Code provides that “sexual intercourse by a man with his own wife is not rape if she has attained puberty.” In many countries, a man may be guilty of raping his wife if she does not give consent.

The picture is that of Bolanle and her injuries. Bolanle was the wife of the former Deji of Akureland. She died a year and 12 days after her husband, Oba Oluwadare Adepoju was deposed for publicly battering her. 

Things Must Change.