- Safiu Kehinde
The Senate has adopted the motion to sentence sex offenders convicted of defiling minor to life imprisonment.
Edo state lawmaker, Sen. Adams Oshiomole, had at the Senate’s plenary session on Tuesday raised the motion for a stricter punishment for sex offenders, particularly those arraigned for defiling minors.
He proposed 20 years’ imprisonment without option of fine, stressing that the defilement of a minor is different from rape.
“Defilement of a minor should be different from that of rape.
“For a minor, this is a kid not capable of consenting or otherwise and whose life can be destroyed almost permanently.
“Those involved in defilement should suffer greater punishment. I propose that it should be 20 years if you defile an underage.” He said.
While the motion was seconded by the Deputy Senate President, Sen. Jubrin Barau, a countermotion proposing the life imprisonment was raised by Sen. Adamu Ailero (APC, Kebbi).
With Oshiomole’s motion defeated by lawmakers, Ailero proposed life imprisonment with no option of fine as he held that defilement is a capital punishment in countries like India and Pakistan.
“Mr. President and my distinguished colleagues, I want to propose that the punishment for defilement is life imprisonment.” He said.
This was seconded by Sen. Adeola Olamilekan and supported by the lawmakers.