The Senate has passed a landmark bill prescribing life imprisonment, without the option of a fine, for anyone convicted of defiling a minor.
Gatekeepers News reports that the legislation, which forms part of wide-ranging amendments to the Criminal Code Act (Amendment) Bill, 2025, was earlier approved by the House of Representatives and aims to strengthen Nigeria’s child protection framework.
Leading debate on the bill, Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele said the proposed amendments seek to fortify laws safeguarding minors and eliminate gender bias in the prosecution of sexual offences.
“The amendment seeks to strengthen child protection laws and eliminate gender discrimination in the prosecution of sexual offences,” Bamidele said.
Under existing provisions, the offence of defilement attracts a five-year jail term, but the new amendment raises the penalty to life imprisonment.
In addition, the Senate proposed a minimum 10-year sentence for rape, defined as forcing any person—male or female—to engage in sexual activity without consent, whether in a brothel or any other premises.
Clause 2(1) of the proposal states:
“Any person who detains a man or boy, a girl or a woman against his or her will in any premises in order to have unlawful carnal knowledge of him or her, in a brothel or any place, commits a felony and attracts a minimum jail term of 10 years on conviction.”
However, deliberations on the bill were temporarily halted following disagreements over a clause related to abortion, which some lawmakers argued had religious and moral implications. The bill was subsequently referred to the Senate Committee on Judiciary and Human Rights for further scrutiny, with a directive to report back in two weeks.
A brief moment of drama ensued when Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan attempted to reopen debate on the controversial clause after the bill had been stepped down. Senator Adams Oshiomhole swiftly raised a point of order, stressing that parliamentary rules forbid further discussion once a matter has been concluded.
“I think my distinguished sister should agree that these are the rules and she should recognize that these are the rules,” Oshiomhole asserted.
Ruling on the matter, Senate President Godswill Akpabio upheld the objection, saying:
“I’m not a spirit to know what she wanted to say,” adding that the rules do not permit revisiting issues already ruled upon.
He subsequently ruled Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan out of order.
