The Senate has unanimously approved a bill that eliminates the option of a fine and mandates life imprisonment for any person convicted of defiling a minor.
This decisive action is considered a powerful commitment to safeguarding children’s rights and welfare across the country.
This proposed change is part of extensive amendments to the Criminal Code Act, formalised under the Criminal Code Act (Amendment) Bill, 2025, which originated as a concurrent bill passed by the House of Representatives.
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The bill’s proponent, Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, argued during the debate that the amendment is necessary to strengthen existing child protection laws and to eliminate gender bias in the prosecution of sexual offences.
The offence of defilement, which currently carries a five-year prison sentence, would be dramatically escalated to life imprisonment under the new proposal.
Beyond the severe penalty for defilement, the Senate also put forward a 10-year prison sentence for rape.
Rape is defined in the proposed law as forcing any person—male or female, adult or minor—to engage in sexual intercourse without their consent, regardless of the location.
Specifically, the new proposal’s Clause 2(1) stipulates that: “Any person who unlawfully detains a man, boy, girl, or woman in any location, including a brothel or any other premises, against their will for the purpose of unlawful carnal knowledge, is guilty of a felony and shall face a minimum jail term of 10 years upon conviction.”
However, following a vigorous discussion, particularly concerning an abortion clause and its potential religious implications, and citing a need for greater clarity on various provisions, the Senate chose to postpone further deliberation on the bill.
It has been referred to the Senate Committee on Judiciary and Human Rights for a detailed review, with instructions to report back within two weeks.
A brief procedural disruption occurred when Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan attempted to reopen discussion on the sensitive abortion clause after the bill had already been formally stepped down.
Senator Adams Oshiomhole quickly interrupted, raising a point of order and asserting that parliamentary rules forbid revisiting a matter that has been concluded and ruled upon.
He reminded his colleague to respect procedural rules.
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In response, Senate President Godswill Akpabio upheld the point of order, stating that parliamentary procedure prohibits re-engaging with issues that have been ruled on.
He subsequently ruled Natasha out of order.
