Senate Proposes Life Imprisonment for Defilement in Criminal Code Amendment Bill
The Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, on Tuesday, considered sweeping reforms to the Criminal Code Act (Amendment) Bill, 2025, including a proposal prescribing life imprisonment without an option of fine for any person convicted of defiling a minor.
Lawmakers described defilement as a “grievous crime capable of destroying a child’s life forever”, stressing that the enhanced penalty was necessary to deter offenders and safeguard children from sexual abuse.
The bill, which originated from the House of Representatives and was transmitted to the Senate for concurrence, seeks to overhaul several provisions of the Criminal Code to reflect contemporary realities.
During plenary, senators unanimously approved the clause prescribing life imprisonment for defilement, replacing the current maximum sentence of five years’ imprisonment.
Presiding over the session, Senate President Godswill Akpabio remarked: “Defilement is even more serious than rape. It is a very serious issue and should carry the most severe punishment. Any defilement of a minor in Nigeria henceforth attracts life imprisonment. Let everyone be aware.”
Other Key Amendments
– Rape and Sexual Offences: The Senate raised the minimum penalty for rape and other forms of forced sexual intercourse—whether involving male or female victims—to 10 years’ imprisonment.
– Gender-Neutral Provisions: Following submissions by Senator Adams Oshiomhole, the chamber amended the relevant clause to expressly recognise that victims of rape can be male or female. Oshiomhole noted that the law must reflect reality, acknowledging that perpetrators and victims may be of any gender.
– Clause 2(1): Now provides that “Any person who detains a man or boy, a girl or a woman against his or her will in any premises to have unlawful carnal knowledge of him or her, commits a felony and shall be liable to imprisonment for not less than 10 years.”
Consideration of clauses relating to pregnancy termination and abortion was suspended and referred to the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters
