Senate President, Godswill Akpabio
In a decisive effort to clamp down on child sexual abuse, the Nigerian Senate has unanimously passed a resolution imposing life imprisonment on anyone convicted of defiling a minor, with no option for a fine.
During a recent plenary session, Senate President Godswill Akpabio emphasized the gravity of crimes against children, drawing a clear distinction between rape and the defilement of minors. “Defilement of a minor should be different from that of rape; those involved in defilement should suffer greater punishment. I promise that it should be 20 years if you defile an underage,” Akpabio declared, recounting harrowing cases involving children as young as five.
As lawmakers debated the motion, Senator Adamu Aliero advocated for a mandatory minimum sentence of 20 years, rejecting any form of leniency. “Offenders must not be allowed to walk away with a fine,” he insisted.
However, Senator Sunday Adeleke took an even firmer stance, urging the Senate to follow examples set by countries like India and Pakistan, where defilement is treated as a capital offence. He argued that Nigeria must send an unequivocal message: “Our country must show zero tolerance for this heinous act.”
Following robust deliberation, the Senate adopted the motion in full, affirming that both men and women found guilty of sexually violating minors will face life imprisonment without parole or financial penalties.
Lawmakers described the move as a necessary step in confronting rising sexual violence and safeguarding the rights and dignity of Nigerian children. Senate President Akpabio hailed the resolution as a “milestone in our collective moral responsibility,” aimed at restoring justice and protecting the nation’s future.
