» Senate Makes 11 Years The Legal Age To Have Sex In Nigeria «

The Senate on Wednesday passed the
Sexual Offences Bill, 2015 which
prescribes life imprisonment for
rapists and those who have sexual
intercourse with children under 11
years.
The passage of the bill followed the report
of the Committee on Judiciary, Human
Rights and Legal Matters, Chaired by Sen.
Umaru Dahiru (APC Sokoto-South).
Presenting the report, Dahiru said the
passage of the bill would give legal backing
for the prosecution of sexual offenders.
He said if approved, rapists and those
who sexually abuse children would
bag life imprisonment while other
sexual offenders would also be
sentenced to serve various prison
terms.
The President of the Senate, Sen. David
Mark, expressed delight on the efforts of the
committee to evolve a stronger law against
sexual violations,
“I want to particularly thank and
congratulate Sen. Chris Anyanwu, the
sponsor of the Bill for the passage for
initiating the process of this amendment,’’
Mark said.
Speaking to newsmen after plenary,
Anyanwu (APGA Imo East) said the passage
of the bill was a parting gift from her to the
public.
“It is indeed a fulfilment of my mission in
the Upper Chamber,’’ she said.
She listed some of the sexual offences
captured by the bill to include gang rape,
lacing drinks with drugs with intent to
sexually abuse, deliberately infecting partner
with HIV and other diseases.
Others, according to her, include child sex
tourism, sexual harassment and prostitution
of persons with mental disabilities.
She said the bill had mandated the storing
of names of sexual offenders in database for
institutional and social discrimination.
“Culprits would never be employed in any
institution where they may pose a risk to
unsuspecting persons. You can see that the
penalties are weighty,’’ she said.
She also said convicted offenders would be
subjected to compulsory medical
examination, while “those that, however,
bring false sexual allegation against any
person will also be liable for
punishment.’’ (NAN)