Lagos State has come up with a law to force men who “accidentally” make a woman pregnant, to take full care of her until she gives birth. This includes providing food, a place to stay and hospital bills.
Section 277 of the new Criminal Law of Lagos State makes it very clear, saying that whoever abandons a woman he impregnates shall go for a fine of up to ₦45,000 and still pay all maternity costs.
It said that if the court gives the man an order to take care of his responsibility and he refuses to obey, things can get worse for him.
The is made in the wake of many women that have suffered alone while the men who got them pregnant disappear without taking responsibility and the State decided to put an end to that.
Women in such distressed situation are given options to reach out to the following:
Lagos State Ministry of Justice
Email: info@lagosstatemoj.org, Phone: +234 902 780 8297 from Monday to Friday, 9 AM–5 PM.
Office Address: Lagos State Ministry of Justice, Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos or Office of the Public Defender (OPD), 07080601080 or visit opd.lagosstate.gov.ng.
Greenbarge Reporters online newspaper learnt that so far this law applies only in Lagos State.
