‘Sex In The Car’: Did ACP Yomi Shogunle Mislead Nigerians?

A mild controversy has trailed a statement made on Tuesday by the head of the Nigeria Police Public Complaint Rapid Response Unit (PCRRU), Mr Yomi Shogunle, who said having sex in the car in a public place isn’t a crime.

Mr. Shogunle, who is an Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP), made the statement while responding to a Twitter user (@Stanley_Moses13) who had asked if it is a crime to have sex in ones car.

“Oga Yomi Shogunle please is it a crime to have sex in your car?” the Twitter user had asked the Assistant Police Commissioner.

But Shogunle responded saying, “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.”

The Police Officer added that “If threatened with an arrest over above, pls contact the PCRRU”.

But a quick look at the Criminal Code Act by THE WHISTLER indicates that Mr Shogunle may have erred in his claim that having “Sex in a car in a public place is not a crime in Nigeria”

Contrary to the assertion by the Assistant Commissioner of Police, Section 231, subsection 1 and 2 of the of the Criminal Code says, “Any person who willfully and without excuse does any indecent act in a public place; or willfully does any indecent act in any place with intent to insult or offend any person; is guilty of a misdemeanour, and is liable to imprisonment for two years”.