The Senate has approved life imprisonment for anyone found guilty of def!ling a minor in Nigeria.
Lawmakers said the penalty reinforces the country’s zero-tolerance stance on child s€xual abuse.
The Nigerian Senate has passed a resolution prescribing life imprisonment without the option of a fine for anyone convicted of def!ling a minor, signaling a firmer national stance against ch!ld s€xual abuse.
During Tuesday’s plenary session, Senate President Godswill Akpabio underscored the need to clearly differentiate between def!lement and rape, noting that crimes involving minors require the harshest punishment. He condemned reported cases involving children as young as five, stressing that such acts must never be tolerated.
Senator Adamu Aliero proposed a minimum sentence of 20 years imprisonment, insisting that offenders should not be allowed to pay fines in place of serving time. However, Senator Sunday Adeleke advocated a tougher penalty life imprisonment citing countries like India and Pakistan where similar crimes attract capital punishment. He urged Nigeria to adopt a zero-tolerance policy toward s€xual v!olence against children.
After debate, the Senate unanimously adopted the motion, ruling that any person, male or female, found guilty of unlawful s€xual intercourse with a m!nor shall face life imprisonment without the possibility of a fine.
Lawmakers said the decision demonstrates the National Assembly’s determination to protect children and combat the growing cases of s€xual ass@ult across the country. Akpabio described the move as a step toward restoring justice, dignity, and moral discipline in society.
