The Nigerian Senate has unanimously passed a groundbreaking bill that mandates life imprisonment for anyone found guilty of defiling a minor, with no option for fines.
The proposal which is part of sweeping amendments to the Criminal Code Act 2025 is a concurrent bill initially passed by the House Of Representatives.
Leading the debate on the bill, Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, said the amendment seeks to strengthen child protection laws and eliminate gender discrimination in the prosecution of sexual offences.