The Nigerian Senate has passed a bill that stipulates life imprisonment for pedophiles and anyone who has sexual encounters with minors.
According to the bill, anyone found guilty will face life imprisonment with no option of fines.
Moving the motion, the Senator representing Edo North Senatorial District, Adams Oshomhole, said defilement of a minor should be different from that of rape.
“For a minor, this is a kid that is not capable of consenting or otherwise and whose life can be destroyed almost permanently. Those involved in defilement should suffer great punishment.
“I propose 20 years imprisonment for whoever is found culpable for this crime without any option of fine. Because I have seen cases of boys and girls under 5 and 10 years old being defiled by adults,” he said.
The proposal was however defeated by the majority in the red chamber of the National Assembly.
Following the defeat of the bill, Senator Muhammad Adamu Aliero (Kebbi Central) proposed stiffer punishment of life imprisonment for any man or woman found wanting in the act.
“I want to propose that the punishment for defilement for minors is life imprisonment, whether it’s a man or woman found culpable,” he said.
