No Mercy For Paedophiles: Senate Passes Bill Imposing Life Imprisonment Without Option Of Fine

The Nigerian Senate has approved a landmark bill imposing life imprisonment on individuals found guilty of paedophilia or any form of sexual activity with minors. According to Ireporter Online, the newly passed legislation represents a decisive move by lawmakers to strengthen child protection laws and curb the rising cases of sexual abuse across the country.

Child sexual abuse remains a serious criminal offence in Nigeria, as outlined in various provisions of Chapter 21 of the nation’s Criminal Code, with the legal age of consent established at 18 years.

In line with findings from a 2015 report by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), about one in four girls and one in ten boys in Nigeria have experienced some form of sexual violence before turning 18.

The Senate’s new legislation stipulates that any person, regardless of gender, who engages in sexual intercourse with a child will be sentenced to life imprisonment without the option of a fine. The move has been widely interpreted as a strong statement of zero tolerance toward sexual exploitation of minors.

Further details on the implementation and enforcement framework of the bill are expected to be made public in due course.