The Nigerian Senate on Tuesday passed amendments to the Criminal Code Act that prescribe life imprisonment for anyone convicted of defiling a minor, removing the option of fines.
The amendment was adopted as part of the Criminal Code (Amendment) Bill, 2025, a concurrent bill previously passed by the House of Representatives.
Senators also voted to strengthen the child‑protection framework by elevating penalties for sexual offenses against minors.
Key changes include:
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Life imprisonment (with no fine) for anyone found guilty of defiling a minor, regardless of gender.
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A ten‑year minimum sentence for rape—redefining it to include both male and female perpetrators.
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Deletion of the statute of limitation on defilement (Sections 218 and 221), making such offenses prosecutable regardless of when they occurred.
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Removal of gender bias in the definition of rape (Section 357), ensuring that both men and women can be prosecuted under the same statute.
Senator Adams Oshiomhole (APC, Edo North) initially moved to impose a 20‑year sentence for defilement, arguing for a tougher stance.
When that proposal failed, Senator Muhammad Adamu Aliero (Kebbi Central) successfully urged the harsher life‑term amendment.
During deliberations, controversy briefly surfaced over a clause relating to abortion—the Senate leadership stepped in to halt reopening that debate once the bill had been stepped down.
The bill has been referred to the Senate Committee on Judiciary and Human Rights for further review, with a report due within two weeks.
