Worried by the incessant cases of
child rape across the country, Nigeria’s Senate on Tuesday moved to frame laws
that would make perpetrators face capital punishment.
Moving the motion on Order 42 and
52 of Senate rules, Senator Rose Oko representing Cross River North Senatorial
district explained that victims of child rape have been on the increase, a
situation she said was worrisome, urging the upper chamber to intervene.
“Mr. President, distinguished
colleagues, I rise on order 42 and 52 of Senate rules to explain a very
disturbing issue of child rape. Mr. President, I want to say that this matter
is alarming and we need to deal with it. ”
Reacting, Senator representing
Lagos Central Senatorial district, Oluremi Tinubu on Tuesday said those
indulging in child abuse deserve death penalty.
Tinubu wondered what perpetrators
stand to benefit from such heinous acts, adding that, “raping a child is
synonymous to killing that child.
“Imagine a child who doesn’t know
anything and was raped. If you ask the child victim to stand in law Court, what
would she tell the judge? ”
Corroborating, Senator Sabi
Abdulahi representing Niger North argued that the Senate must intervene by
putting stiffer penalties for perpetrators.
Deputy Senate President, Ovie
Omo-Agege stated that there were enough rape laws, stating that the challenges
were those of enforcement and implementation.
According to him, Court judges
perhaps have too much discretion, saying that Senate should review these laws
is geared towards tying their hands in a manner that they would be forced to
pass judgement without deciding otherwise.
“Judges have too much discretion.
Even governors too have prerogative of mercy where they visit prison yards and
set inmates free. ”
In his contribution, Senator
Chukwuka Utazi representing Enugu North Senatorial district called for
psychiatric test on perpetrators of child abuse.
The lawmaker added that the
school curriculum should also capture sex education from elementary level to
higher institutions.
Adopting the motion, Senate
President, Dr Ahmad Ibrahim Lawan upheld the prayers and also upholding the
review of all relevant laws that would ensure capital punishment for offenders
of child abuse.
Part of the payers sustained too
was the training of the police and other security agents handling rape cases,
while they also urged the public to serve as watchdogs against rape.
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