The Senate has taken a bold step toward strengthening child protection laws by considering a bill proposing life imprisonment for anyone convicted of defiling a minor.
The bill, however, was later stepped down for further review following debates on certain controversial clauses.
The bill, titled Criminal Code Act (Amendment) Bill, 2025, aims to revise existing penalties for sexual offences against minors.
It passed through initial stages of consideration with unanimous support and no provision for fines reflecting lawmakers’ resolve to address child abuse with maximum legal force.
Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, who led the debate on the floor, said the proposed amendment sought to eliminate existing gender bias in the prosecution of sexual offences, while updating penalties to reflect current realities.
Under existing law, defilement carries a five-year sentence, something the amendment sought to replace with a mandatory life term.
Beyond defilement, the bill also proposes a 10-year jail term for anyone convicted of rape regardless of the victim’s gender and outlines clear definitions of non-consensual sexual acts.
Specifically, Clause 2(1) targets those who detain individuals, either male or female, in any location (including brothels) for the purpose of forced sexual activity.
Such actions, under the bill, would be classified as felonies attracting a minimum of 10 years in prison upon conviction.
Despite the sweeping support, deliberations stalled after intense debate over a provision believed to relate to abortion.
Religious and procedural concerns prompted the Senate to refer the entire bill to the Committee on Judiciary and Human Rights for further clarification.
The committee is expected to return with its report in two weeks.
Shortly after the bill was stepped down, mild drama unfolded on the Senate floor.
Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan attempted to reopen discussions on the contentious abortion clause, prompting an immediate objection from former Edo State governor and Senator Adams Oshiomhole.
Oshiomhole cited parliamentary rules, arguing that once a bill has been withdrawn and ruled on, it cannot be debated further during the same sitting.
“These are the rules,” he said, urging his colleague to respect the chamber’s procedures.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio upheld the point of order, ruling Senator Natasha out of order and reminding all members that the rules must be followed to maintain legislative order.
“I am not a spirit to know what she intended to say,” Akpabio remarked, before drawing a line under the matter.
With strong political and public interest in the bill, especially around its child protection focus, all eyes are now on the Senate committee’s recommendations when it reports back in early November.
If passed, the amendment would mark a significant shift in Nigeria’s criminal justice approach to sexual violence and child protection.
