Overview
Lagos state has a law making it an offence to ‘wilfully or knowingly’ endanger another person by infecting them with HIV. The offence carries a penalty of N200,000 and/or imprisonment of up to 10 years. The law does not require transmission and does not allow consent as a defence.
Laws
Lagos State Law no 17: A law for the protection of persons living with HIV and affected by AIDS in Lagos state and for connected matters
Section 18 Offences and Penalties
(1) Any Person who wilfully or knowingly endangers other persons by infecting them with the AIDS virus, commits an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding Two Hundred Thousand Naira only (N200,000) or imprisonment not exceeding ten years (10 years) or both fine and imprisonment.
Further resources
HIV criminalisation scan conducted by the Network of People Living with HIV and AIDS in Nigeria (NEPWHAN) for GNP+
Acknowledgements
Our thanks to Australian law firm Hall & Wilcox for their research assistance to confirm current relevant legislation.