Yemi Obafemi
As part of efforts to strengthen child protection laws and eliminate gender discrimination in the prosecution of sexual offences, the Senate has passed a bill mandating life imprisonment for anyone found guilty of defiling a minor.
The bill, sponsored and debated by Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, seeks to amend the Criminal Code Act to increase the penalty for defilement from the current five-year jail term to life imprisonment.
In addition, the Senate approved another provision prescribing a minimum of 10 years imprisonment for anyone who unlawfully detains another person male or female with the intent to have carnal knowledge of them, whether in a brothel or any other location.
The proposal forms part of sweeping amendments under the Criminal Code (Amendment) Bill, 2025, which is a concurrent bill earlier passed by the House of Representatives.
The bill was unanimously referred to the Senate Committee on Judiciary and Human Rights for further legislative work, with the committee expected to report back in two weeks.
