Breaking: New Bill Could Give Prosecutors Extra Time To Hunt Down S!xual Predators Of Young Girls

Breaking: New Bill Could Give Prosecutors Extra Time To Hunt Down S!xual Predators Of Young Girls

The House of Representatives is exploring a bill to extend the time limit for prosecuting sexual offenses involving girls under the age of 13. The bill, introduced by Bitrus Laori, a lawmaker from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) representing…Breaking: New Bill Could Give Prosecutors Extra Time To Hunt Down S!xual Predators Of Young Girls

the Demsa/Numan/Lamurde constituency in Adamawa State, has passed its first reading.

Proposed Amendments

The bill seeks to amend Sections 218 and 221 of the Criminal Code Act, which currently impose time restrictions on prosecuting such cases involving minors.

Under Section 218 of the existing law, it states: “Any person who engages in unlawful carnal knowledge of a girl under thirteen years of age is guilty of a felony and is liable to life imprisonment, with or without caning. Any person who attempts to engage in unlawful carnal knowledge of a girl under thirteen is also guilty of a felony and may face fourteen years of imprisonment, with or without caning. Prosecution for either offense must begin within two months of the crime, and the uncorroborated testimony of a single witness cannot convict.”

The proposed bill aims to amend the time frame by replacing the two-month period with a two-year window for initiating prosecution.

Laori argued that the current two-month limit is too brief to gather adequate evidence, and it often results in offenders being released due to the lack of timely prosecution. He explained, “The two-month period often gives offenders an escape from criminal responsibility, even if they are guilty. In cases of sexual offenses, gathering evidence, investigating, and securing willing witnesses typically takes much longer.”

He further emphasized that the challenges of reporting, arresting, and prosecuting offenders are often exacerbated by factors like intimidation, stigma, and reluctance of witnesses to testify. “The current two-month period is simply too short for justice to be served,” he said.

Laori added that extending the prosecution period would ensure that offenders are held accountable and send a strong deterrent message, ensuring justice for victims.

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