News

Senate Proposes Life Imprisonment for Defilement of Minors

Published

2 months ago

October 22, 2025

Eric

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

The bill marks a significant step towards protecting the rights and safety of children across the country.

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

Leading the debate on the bill, Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, said the amendment seeks to strengthen child protection laws and eliminate gender discrimination in the prosecution of sexual offences. The offence of defilement, which currently attracts a five-year jail term, would now carry life imprisonment under the proposed amendment.

In addition to life imprisonment for defiling minors, the Senate also proposed a 10-year jail term for rape, defined as the act of forcing a boy, girl, man or woman to have sex without their consent, whether in a brothel or any other premises.

In the new proposal, Clause 2(1), reads: “Any person who detains a man or boy, a girl or a woman against his or her will in any premises in order to have unlawful canal knowledge of him or her; in a brothel or any place, commits a felony and attracts a minimum jail term of 10 years, on conviction.”

However, after intense discussions and consideration of an abortion clause owing to the religious implications, citing the need for more clarity on some provisions, the Senate eventually stepped down further consideration of the bill, referring it to the senate committee on Judiciary and human rights for further consideration to report back in two weeks.

Slight drama, however, unfolded when Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan attempted to reopen debate on a controversial clause after the bill had already been withdrawn. As she began to raise concerns on a sensitive abortion clause, Adams Oshiomhole, swiftly interjected, raising a point of order.

He argued that parliamentary procedure prohibits further discussion once a matter has been concluded.

He reminded that if a matter has been stepped down and ruled upon, it is out of order to reopen it.

“I think my distinguished sister should agree that these are the rules and she should recognize that these are the rules,” he stated.

Responding, the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, acknowledged the point, noting that: “I’m not a spirit to know what she wanted to say,” reiterating that parliamentary procedure does not allow for issues to be revisited after a ruling. He subsequently ruled Senator Natasha out of order.

News

Appeal Court Affirms Ruling Barring VIO from Impounding Vehicles, Fining Motorists

Published

2 days ago

December 4, 2025

Eric

The Court of Appeal in Abuja on Thursday upheld the judgment that stopped the Directorate of Road Traffic Services and Vehicle Inspection Officers (VIO) from seizing vehicles or imposing fines on motorists.

In a unanimous decision by a three-member panel, the appellate court found no basis to set aside the Federal High Court’s ruling of October 16, 2024, which restrained the VIO from harassing motorists.

The appeal filed by the VIO was dismissed for lacking merit. Justice Oyejoju Oyewumi delivered in the lead judgment.

The high court had earlier ruled, in a judgment by Justice Nkeonye Maha, that no law authorizes the VIO to stop motorists, impound vehicles, or impose penalties for alleged traffic offences.

The case arose from a fundamental rights suit (FHC/ABJ/CS/1695/2023) filed by lawyer Abubakar Marshal.

Marshal informed the court that VIO officials stopped him at Jabi in Abuja on December 12, 2023, and seized his vehicle without lawful reason. He asked the court to determine whether their actions violated his rights.

Justice Maha agreed and ordered the VIO and its agents not to impound vehicles or impose fines on motorists, describing the actions as unlawful. She held that only a court can impose fines or sanctions.

She ruled that the VIO’s conduct breached the applicant’s constitutional right to property under Section 42 of the 1999 Constitution and Article 14 of the African Charter. She further held that the VIO has no legal authority to seize vehicles or penalize motorists, as doing so infringes on rights to fair hearing, movement and presumption of innocence.

Although Marshal, represented by Femi Falana, SAN, requested ₦500 million in damages and a public apology, the court awarded ₦2.5 million.

The Directorate of Road Traffic Services, its Director, its Abuja Area Commander at the time (identified as Mr. Leo), team leader Solomon Onoja, and the FCT Minister were listed as respondents.

They appealed the decision, but the Court of Appeal dismissed the appeal.

News

Tinubu Nominates Ibas, Dambazau, Enang, Ohakim As Ambassadors

Published

2 days ago

December 4, 2025

Eric

President Bola Tinubu has nominated Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas, the immediate past sole administrator of Rivers State and a former Chief of Naval Staff, as a non-career ambassador.

Tinubu also nominated Ita Enang, a former senator; Chioma Ohakim, former First Lady of Imo State; and Abdulrahman Dambazau, former Minister of Interior and ex-Chief of Army Staff, as non-career ambassadors.

News

Senate Confirms Chris Musa As New Defence Minister

Published

3 days ago

December 3, 2025

Eric

The Nigerian Senate has confirmed General Christopher Musa, the former Chief of Defence Staff, as the country’s new Minister of Defence.

The announcement was contained in a statement by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser on Information and Strategy to President Bola Tinubu.

Musa, who retired from the military just 40 days ago, was nominated by President Tinubu on Tuesday to succeed former Defence Minister Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, who stepped down on health grounds.

According to Onanuga’s statement, the Senate approved Musa’s appointment on Wednesday through a voice vote, following a thorough screening session during which lawmakers posed numerous questions.

“Senate confirms Gen. Christopher Musa as Minister of Defence The Senate has confirmed the former Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa, as the Minister of Defence. The Senate confirmed Musa on Wednesday via a voice vote after a rigorous screening session in which lawmakers asked him many questions,” the statement read in part.