Governor Aliyu Signs Bill Restricting Muslim Men To Marry Not More Than 4 Wives

The Governor of Niger State, Dr. Aliyu Babangida on Thursday, signed an anti-rap£ bill seeking stiffer punishment for rapists and people engaged in s-ex offences.

The Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Mr. Israel Ebije, who said this in a statement, explained that the constitution of Sharia Courts and the establishment of Niger State Livestock and Fishery Institute were also accented to by the governor.

Niger State House of Assembly had passed into law, a bill seeking the establishment of Sharia Penal Code for the State and set aside 21 years jail term for anybody convicted of rap-e.

The bill also states that any Nigerian who professes Islam as his religion should not marry more than four wives.

The bill was later sent to the Governor for assent.

The signing was necessitated by the high rate of rape cases in the State.

Ebije stressed that the law would serve as a deterrent to sexual offences and a source of consolation to the victims.

He said, “Once people are aware that the gavel of the law will strike hard on them for ra-pe, the ugly trend will reduce or completely stop.

“One major factor why cases of ra-pe appear to be increasing in our society is the fact that the laws are quite lenient on such despicable offenders.

“Governor Aliyu has never hidden his disdain for rapists and sex offenders.

“This law, therefore, properly reflects his desire to provide safety to the vulnerable in the society, especially children who are repeatedly se-xually molested.”