By Deborah Nnamdi
The Nigerian Senate has approved life imprisonment for anyone convicted of defiling a minor, marking a significant escalation from the previous five-year jail term under the nation’s criminal code.
The decision followed the passage of the Criminal Code (Amendment) Bill, 2025, which seeks to strengthen penalties for sexual offences and related crimes. Lawmakers described the defilement of minors as a “heinous act capable of destroying a child’s life forever,” insisting that the punishment must reflect the seriousness of the crime.
“The Senate has decided that any defilement of a minor in Nigeria henceforth attracts life imprisonment—without an option of fine,” Senate President Godswill Akpabio declared after a unanimous voice vote on Tuesday.
The bill, earlier passed by the House of Representatives and transmitted to the Senate for concurrence, received broad bipartisan support.
In addition, the Senate increased the minimum sentence for rape and similar sexual offences from five to ten years. The revised law also recognises that victims of sexual violence can be of any gender.
Former labour leader, Senator Adams Oshiomhole, pushed for the inclusive definition, stating that “rape can happen to anyone—male or female.” The amended clause now reads: “Any person who detains a man or boy, a girl or a woman against his or her will for unlawful carnal knowledge commits a felony and shall, on conviction, be sentenced to not less than ten years’ imprisonment.”
Although former Kebbi State governor, Senator Adamu Aliero, had proposed life imprisonment for rape offenders, lawmakers eventually settled on ten years as the minimum term, with room for judges to impose stiffer sentences in aggravated cases.
However, debate became heated when the Senate considered provisions relating to abortion and pregnancy termination. While the law currently criminalises abortion, several senators cautioned against wording that could endanger medical practitioners acting in emergencies.
Senator Abdul Ningi (Bauchi Central) warned that the current language could expose doctors to prosecution even when saving lives. “We must clearly define what constitutes an ‘unlawful abortion,’ so that health professionals can act without fear when a woman’s life is at risk,” he said.
In response, Akpabio directed the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights, and Legal Matters to review the contentious provisions within two weeks and present recommendations.
Once harmonised with the House version, the new legislation is expected to become one of Nigeria’s strongest legal instruments against sexual violence and child abuse.
“Today, the Senate has drawn a moral line,” Akpabio said. “No more tolerance for predators. No more silence for victims.”
