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)
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