Senate proposes life imprisonment for minors’ defilement

The Nigerian Senate has proposed life imprisonment, without the option of a fine, for anyone convicted of defiling a minor, marking a significant step toward strengthening child protection laws.

The measure is included in the Criminal Code Act (Amendment) Bill, 2025, which seeks to update and toughen penalties for sexual offences.

The bill, which originated in the House of Representatives, was presented in the Senate by Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele.

Bamidele explained that the amendment aims not only to impose stricter punishments but also to remove gender bias in the prosecution of sexual offences.

Under the current law, defilement carries a five-year prison sentence, but the amendment seeks to make life imprisonment mandatory for offenders.

The bill also proposes a minimum 10-year sentence for rape.

Rape is defined in the bill as any act of forcing another person, male or female, into sexual activity without consent, regardless of where the act occurs. Clause 2(1) further states: “Any person who detains a man or boy, a girl or a woman against his or her will in any premises 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 upon conviction.”

However, debate on the bill was temporarily suspended after a controversial clause concerning abortion sparked heated arguments on the Senate floor.

The bill was subsequently stepped down and referred to the Senate Committee on Judiciary and Human Rights for further review, with the committee expected to report back in two weeks.

Tension briefly flared during proceedings when Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan attempted to reopen discussion on the abortion clause after the bill had already been withdrawn.

Her move was challenged by Senator Adams Oshiomhole, who cited Senate rules prohibiting debate on stepped-down matters.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio upheld Oshiomhole’s objection, ruling Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan out of order and noting, “I’m not a spirit to know what she wanted to say.”