Senate moves to impose life imprisonment for child defilement

The Senate has proposed life imprisonment for anyone convicted of defiling a minor, in a move to strengthen penalties under the Criminal Code Act (Amendment) Bill, 2025.

Under the current law, the offence attracts a five-year jail term. However, lawmakers argued that defilement is a grave crime capable of permanently damaging a child’s life, warranting a punishment of equal severity. The bill, earlier passed by the House of Representatives, was forwarded to the Senate for concurrence and underwent a clause-by-clause review during plenary.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio described defilement as “even more serious than rape,” noting that the chamber unanimously approved the life imprisonment clause. “Any defilement of a minor in Nigeria henceforth carries life imprisonment. Let everyone be aware,” he declared.

The Senate also approved tougher sanctions for rape and related offences. While the existing law prescribes five years in prison, the amendment raises the punishment to a minimum of 10 years. Former Kebbi State Governor, Senator Adamu Aliero, had recommended life imprisonment for rape, but lawmakers settled for a minimum decade-long term.

Additionally, the bill’s revised Clause 2(1) now recognizes that victims of sexual assault can be male or female, following Senator Adams Oshiomhole’s observation that men and boys are also targets of rape. The updated provision applies equally to all genders and covers assaults in any setting, including brothels and private premises.

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