The Nigerian Senate has passed a bill prescribing life imprisonment for anyone found guilty of sexually defiling a minor.

Under the new legislation, both men and women convicted of engaging in sexual intercourse with a child will face life imprisonment without the option of a fine.

While leading the debate on the bill, Senator Adams Oshiomhole, representing Edo North Senatorial District, emphasized that defilement of a minor should not be treated in the same category as rape.

“A minor is a child who cannot give consent and whose life can be permanently damaged by such an act. Those involved in defilement deserve severe punishment. I propose 20 years imprisonment for anyone found guilty, with no option of fine, as there are disturbing cases involving children as young as five or ten,” Oshiomhole said.

However, his proposal for a 20-year jail term was rejected by the majority of senators.

In a counter-motion, Senator Muhammad Adamu Aliero of Kebbi Central advocated for a harsher penalty, suggesting life imprisonment as the appropriate punishment for offenders regardless of gender.

“I propose that the punishment for defilement of minors be life imprisonment, regardless of the offender’s gender,” Aliero stated.

The Senate subsequently adopted Aliero’s amendment and officially passed the bill, setting life imprisonment as the punishment for anyone convicted of child defilement in Nigeria.