The Nigerian Senate has proposed a life imprisonment sentence for anyone found guilty of defiling a minor, marking a decisive move to strengthen child protection laws and ensure the safety of children across the country.
The proposal, which forms part of the Criminal Code Act (Amendment) Bill 2025, was introduced as a concurrent bill earlier passed by the House of Representatives. Leading the debate on the bill, Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele explained that the amendment seeks to eliminate gender discrimination in prosecuting sexual offences and increase penalties for sexual crimes.
Under the proposed amendment, defilement, which currently carries a five-year jail term, would now attract life imprisonment. In addition, the Senate proposed a 10-year jail term for rape, defined as forcing any person, man, woman, boy or girl, to have sexual intercourse without consent, whether in a brothel or any other location.
According to Clause 2(1) of the new bill, “Any person who detains a man or boy, a girl or woman against his or her will in any premises to have unlawful canal knowledge of him or her commits a felony and attracts a minimum jail term of 10 years upon conviction.”
However, the Senate stepped down further consideration of the bill following debates over a controversial abortion clause and the need for greater clarity on some provisions. The bill has been referred to the Senate Committee on Judiciary and Human Rights for further scrutiny, with a report expected in two weeks.
A mild drama unfolded during the session when Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan attempted to reopen discussion on the withdrawn clause. Adams Oshiomhole quickly raised a point of order, reminding lawmakers that parliamentary procedure forbids reopening a matter already ruled upon. “I think my distinguished sister should agree that these are the rules,” Oshiomhole stated. Responding, Senate President Godswill Akpabio upheld the point of order, ruling Senator Natasha out of order and emphasizing that concluded matters cannot be revisited.
