The Senate has unanimously passed a ground-breaking bill, mandating life imprisonment for anyone found guilty of defiling a minor, with no option for fines.

The decisive move marks a significant step towards protecting the rights and safety of children across nation.

The proposal which is part of sweeping amendments to the Criminal Code act, Amendment Bill 2025 is concurrent bill initially passed by the House of Representatives.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio said the bill If passed and assented to by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, would ensure that “consent is immaterial as far as you are dealing with a minor”

“Any defiling of a minor should carry life imprisonment”, he added.

Leading the debate on the bill, the Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, says the amendment seeks to strengthen child protection laws and eliminate gender discrimination in the prosecution of sexual offences.