By Ayodele Oni
In a move to protect the underaged from being molested, the Nigerian Senate has unanimously passed a bill stipulating life imprisonment for anyone found guilty of defiling a minor, with no option for fines.
The decision was made during a plenary session on Tuesday, marking a stringent stance against paedophilia and se*ual exploitation of children.
The bill, which aims to protect minors from sexual abuse, was proposed by Senator Adamu Aleiro.
During the session, Senator Aleiro emphasized the severe and often permanent damage caused to young victims, arguing that the punishment for defilement should be distinct from that of rape due to the vulnerability and inability of minors to consent.
He proposed a minimum sentence of 20 years, which was initially put to a vote but did not pass.
Following the defeat of the 20-year imprisonment proposal, Senator Aleiro introduced a counter-motion for life imprisonment, which was seconded by Senator Olamilekan Adeola.
The motion was met with strong support, reflecting a consensus among the senators on the need for a harsher penalty to deter such crimes.
The bill’s passage came after a detailed discussion on the gravity of the offence, with comparisons drawn to international practices, particularly in countries like India and Pakistan, where capital punishment is sometimes enforced for similar crimes.
The new law applies to both men and women, acknowledging that sexual abuse of minors can be perpetrated by individuals of any gender.
This aspect of the bill was highlighted as a progressive step towards gender-neutral legislation in addressing sexual crimes.
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