Scrap Gender Bias in Sexual Offence Laws

The Nigerian Senate has unanimously passed a landmark bill prescribing life imprisonment for anyone convicted of defiling a minor, with no option of fine.

The move is hailed as a decisive step towards protecting children and reinforcing justice for victims of sexual abuse.

The legislation, is part of a sweeping amendments to the Criminal Code Act (Amendment) Bill, 2025; mirrors a concurrent bill earlier passed by the House of Representatives.

Leading debate on the floor, Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, explained that the amendment seeks to fortify existing child protection laws, while eliminating gender discrimination in the prosecution of sexual offences.

Under the current law, defilement attracts a maximum of five years’ imprisonment, a penalty lawmakers now deem grossly inadequate.

“This amendment reflects our collective commitment to safeguard the dignity of every Nigerian child and ensure that perpetrators of such heinous crimes face the full weight of the law”, Sen. Bamidele said.

In addition to life imprisonment for defilement, the Senate also proposed a 10-year minimum jail term for rape, defined broadly to include forced sexual intercourse with any person, male or female without consent, whether in a brothel or any other premises.

According to Clause 2(1) of the proposal reads; “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, whether in a brothel or elsewhere, commits a felony and shall be liable on conviction to a minimum of 10 years imprisonment.”

However, deliberations became heated over the inclusion of an abortion-related clause, with several senators citing religious sensitivities and the need for clearer legal definitions.

Following extended debate, the Senate resolved to step down further consideration of the bill, referring it to the Committee on Judiciary and Human Rights for further review.

The committee is expected to report back to the plenary within two weeks for final harmonization and passage into law.

Meanwhile, a section of Nigerians have argued that, the proposed law is inconclusive since it failed to address the circumstances of sexual inducement covertly or overtly by especially, ladies on the social media, as well as inappropriate public dressing style.

Mr. Edem Asuki, a fashion designer called on the lawmakers to address matters arising in the new bill to resolve developments under the sexual abuse law.