by Rachel Ogbu

Hopefully to tackle the menace of rape in Nigeria, the House of Representatives has proposed life imprisonment for persons found guilty of the crime.

Presented by Abike Dabiri-Erewa, the House proposed that the suspect will be liable jointly and severally to a minimum of 20 years imprisonment without an option and in situations where the offender was under 14 years old, the offender will be liable to a minimum of 14 years imprisonment and a minimum of 12 years without an option of fine.

This decision was made while adopting the recommendation of a report on a bill for an Act on violence against persons (prohibition) which also cover female circumcision and genital mutilation.

Leadership reports more details on the bill:

The 51-clause bill is expected to drastically reduce the incidents of rape which has been on a steady rise in the few last years.

The lawmakers also recommended imprisonment not exceeding five years or a fine of N100, 000 or both for anyone convicted of wilfully causing or inflicting physical injury on another person by means of any warp on, substance or object.

Any person who incites, aids, abets, or counsels another person to commit the act of violence and is guilty of the offense is also liable on conviction to imprisonment for a term not exceeding three years or to a fine not exceeding N200,000 or to both fine and imprisonment.

It was also recommended that any person who compels another by force or threat to engage in any conduct or sexual act or otherwise to the detriment of the victim’s physical or psychological well being commits an offense and is liable on conviction to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years or a fine not exceeding N500, 000 or both.

Female circumcision and general mutilation also drew punishments as any person convicted of performing it or engaging someone to carry it out risks four year jail term or a fine not more than N200, 000 or both.

Aiding female circumcision attracts N100, 000 or two year jail term or both while any person convicted of frustrating investigation and prosecution of offenders is guilty of felony and liable on conviction to imprisonment not more than three years or a fine not exceeding N500, 000.

One contentious recommendation that the victim has the right to terminate any pregnancy resulting from rape and proving harmful to the health of the victim was rejected by the lawmakers and deleted from the report.