It is a common practice for partners to engage in sexual activities in their vehicles. For some, this is sexy while others would rather frown on it.
In many jurisdictions in Africa, such kind of pleasure, particularly having sexual intercourse in public, is illegal and may result in prosecutions, though in many instances the law is unclear on such matters.
This week, there were news reports of a couple that was harassed by a mob for having sex in a car at an undisclosed area in Lagos, Nigeria. The incident triggered debates as to whether the residents were wrong or otherwise in shaming the couple, while others raised issues about what the country’s laws are on car sex.
To this extent, a Twitter user asked the Head of the Nigeria Police Force’s Public Complaint Rapid Response Unit, ACP Yomi Shogunle, for clarification.
“Sex in a car in a public place is not a crime in Nigeria,” the Nigerian police official said, adding that the location must, however, not be a place of worship, the act must be consensual while persons involved in that form of pleasure must be 18 years old or above, of the opposite sex.
NO.
Sex in a car in a public place is not a crime in Nigeria provided;
1. Location is not a place of worship
2. Parties are 18 yrs+
3. The act is consensual (agreed to by parties)
4. Parties are of opposite sex
If threatened with an arrest over above, pls contact @PoliceNG_PCRRU. https://t.co/U1Dqk9Mywe— Abayomi Shogunle (@YomiShogunle) December 11, 2018
His tweet has since gone viral and generated a lot of controversies. Critics say his tweet has given people the liberty to proceed with such activities, a move that tends to legalise immorality, rape, indecency and enhance obscenity.
Here’s how people are reacting to the development:
Really,having sex in a car in public ain’t a criminal offence in Nigeria?even when done right at the bus stop in broad daylight? You’ll get done here in the UK and in America doing that
— kaytoned (@kaytoned) December 11, 2018
Is not a crime but if we catch you will shame you publicly.
— OJ Samuel (@OyijewuSamuel) December 11, 2018
Thank you for this information, Gombe State Police Command; Lowcost and Gombe divisions in particular should take note.
— Aliyu Dahiru Bello (@ADB_Gombe) December 11, 2018
Issa trap ?. When u are caught by the soldiers, u wee know say khaki no be leather.
— Doctorjoe (@Doctorjoe10) December 11, 2018
I strongly disagree with you officer.
Sex in the public means:(1) Legalization of Immorality.
(2) It has the tendency of creating obscenity and leads to indecency in the country.
(3) It will lead to lust, lack of sexual control & rape.
(4) It will destroy our teenagers.— Pareal. (@PatrickOkouzi) December 11, 2018
Okay, sir. Noted. But what if a law contradict morality? Nigerians will do that in excess. Moral police daily bemoans on national dailies on the state of raping & early exposure of our children to sexual affairs. Legalizing that would make people watch porn in public.
— Hassan Imran (@ayoola_imran) December 12, 2018
Yes no law prohibiting. However same can be charged for offences against morality.
S. 231 of the Criminal cold talks about indecent acts. Its now left fr court to determine if ‘Sex in a car’ constitutes ‘indecent act in public place’. Bearing in mind ‘A Car’ is private property pic.twitter.com/qTLnLtbNOH— Dolapo Ibukun (@Ibukun_olu) December 11, 2018
Thank you very much for clarifying this. But what then is indecent exposure?
— Osariyekemwen Arigbe (@OsaAOsula) December 11, 2018
Sex in the car is synonymous with an Embassy in a host country, and are protected under the concept of diplomatic immunity ? but of course not to be don in public places, or with kids around. I recommend at late hours ?
— YusufBobbyJiggaMusa (@BobbyJigga) December 11, 2018
Once police sees a man and woman inside a car parked and discussing without even having sex they assume you are kissing and doing it already and if you no get money to bail nah straight to station
— Magnificent Teeboya (@MTeeboya) December 11, 2018
It is categorised under lewd acts….don’t go to jail for nothing
— Ada Opara (@opara_adaku) December 11, 2018
