Members of the Senate, at the plenary on Tuesday, took turns to lament the rising cases of rape and other forms of sexual violence in Nigeria.
The upper chamber of the National Assembly specifically asked the Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Ibrahim Idris, to investigate and prosecute sexual crimes in the country.
It also urged judges to revisit the sentences for sexual offences and domestic violence to reflect the seriousness of the crimes.
The lawmakers lamented that while there were existing laws to check sex-related crimes, the rate was rising due to the failure by security agencies to enforce the laws.
The condemnation came when the Deputy Majority Leader, Senator Bala Ibn Na’Allah, moved a motion titled, ‘Urgent need to investigate the alarming rate of rape and sexual assault against women, children and vulnerable people across the country’.
In the motion, Na’Allah said, “The Senate notes the frightening increase in cases of sexual violence, notably rape, where more than half of the victims are minors, children below the age of consent.
The lawmakers unanimously granted the prayers of the motion, including to “urge the Inspector-General of Police to investigate and prosecute cases of sexual abuse, violation and violence in line with the provisions of the extant laws of the federation.
The lawmakers also “urge all heads of courts to revisit the sentencing policy on all sexual offences and domestic violence to address the seriousness it deserves.”
