Lagos Group Condemns Provisions Of Sexual Offences Bill

photo credit: rjrnewsonline

The Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Response Team has condemned certain provisions of the Sexual Offences Bill of 2014, reports channelstv.
            

In a session with media on Wednesday, the team specifically condemned sections of the bill which sought to make a distinction in the ages of children.

They also censured sections that sought to give a statutory defence for sexual offences against a child on the grounds of purported deceit by the child, which causes an accused person to believe that the child is above 18, when the act of defiling the child is committed.

The Sexual Offences Bill was one of the 46 bills passed by the 7th Senate, a day before the last National Assembly in Nigeria was terminated.

The bill stipulated a punishment of life imprisonment for any individual found guilty of rape or sexual intercourse with a child, 14 years imprisonment for sexual abuse, among others.

Led by the Permanent Secretary and Solicitor General of Lagos State, Mr Lawal Pedro (SAN), the team identified certain sections it wants amended or canceled from the bill.

They noted that these provisions were inconsistent with the provisions of Section 1 of the Child Rights Act which provided that “in every action concerning a child, the best interest of the child shall be the primary consideration”.

The group also requested for the ejection from the bill, the provisions of Section 9 which introduced the offence of gang rape, observing that prosecution under the Section may be problematic.

They also pointed out that the distinction in the ages of children made under Section 7 was unnecessary.

The team then noted that it would forward a communique of suggested amendments to President Muhammadu Buhari, advising that it should be considered before assent is given to the Sexual Offences Bill.

Source: Channelstv