By Empress Blessing
The Senate has approved life imprisonment as the new penalty for anyone convicted of defiling a minor in Nigeria.
The amendment, contained in the Criminal Code Act (Amendment) Bill, 2025, replaces the previous five-year jail term with life imprisonment without an option of fine.
The bill, earlier passed by the House of Representatives, was forwarded to the Senate for concurrence. During a clause-by-clause consideration, senators also increased penalties for rape and related offences.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio, while presiding over the session, said: “Defilement is even more serious than rape. It is a very serious issue and should carry more punishment. Any defilement of a minor in Nigeria henceforth attracts life imprisonment. Let everyone be aware.”
Under the amended law, rape or any act of forcing a boy, girl, man, or woman into sex without consent now attracts a minimum jail term of 10 years, up from the previous five years.
Former NLC President, Senator Adams Oshiomhole, noted that rape victims are not limited to females, prompting the Senate to expand the definition to include males as possible victims.