Dare Babalola
The Nigerian Senate has taken a significant step towards protecting minors from sexual abuse, passing a bill that imposes life imprisonment on pedophiles and those who defile children.
This landmark decision aims to curb the rising cases of child sexual exploitation and ensure justice for victims.
The Nigerian Senate passed a bill on Tuesday imposing life imprisonment on individuals who engage in sexual intercourse with minors, eliminating the possibility of fines as an alternative punishment, in a bid to curb child sexual exploitation.
Senator Adams Oshomhole, representing Edo North Senatorial District, moved the motion in the Senate distinguishing the defilement of a minor from rape, highlighting the need for different considerations.
“For a minor, this is a kid that is not capable of consenting or otherwise and whose life can be destroyed almost permanently. Those involved in defilement should suffer great punishment.
“I propose 20 years imprisonment for whoever is found culpable for this crime without any option of fine. Because I have seen cases of boys and girls under 5 and 10 years old being defiled by adults,” he said.
The proposal, was, however, defeated by the majority in the red chamber of the National Assembly.
Following the defeat of the bill, Senator Muhammad Adamu Aliero (Kebbi Central) proposed stiffer punishment of life imprisonment for any man or woman found wanting in the act.
“I want to propose that the punishment for defilement for minors be life imprisonment, whether it’s a man or woman found culpable,” said Aliero.
The Senate adopted Aliero’s proposal, officially passing the bill prescribing life imprisonment for pedophiles and child defilers.
