Senate bill recognising males as rape victims passes second reading

The Senate has taken the second reading of a bill seeking to
remove gender restrictions in the offence of rape and related
matters.

If passed, the bill will formally recognise men as victims of
rape as applicable.

The bill also seeks to remove the statute of limitation on
defilement, while it also seeks increased punishment for
kidnapping.

Introduced by Senator Oluremi Tinubu (APC-‎Lagos Central) at the
Senate plenary on Tuesday, the SB2 is “A Bill for an Act to amend
the Criminal Code Act CAP C38 LFN 2004 to delete the Statute of
Limitation on defilement, increase in punishment for the offences
of kidnapping, remove gender restrictions in the offence of rape
and for related matters, 2019 (SB. 2).”

In response, Senator Bala Na’allah (APC-Kebbi South) expressed
support for the bill, but noted that the amendments to criminal
code being sought are limited in application to southern
states.

Na’allah said, “The criminal code that sought to be amended is
only applicable to the southern states.

“The intent of this Bill is to make it on general application in
Nigeria, and that is why we must commend Senator Tinubu for
this.

“The issue of rape has been a very difficult provision in our
statue and dates back to the English Law.”

Also speaking in support, Senator Emmanuel Bwacha (PDP-Taraba
South) said, “I think this is a bold step in the right direction. I
think this is quite commendable.”

Senator Adamu Aliero (PDP-Kebbi Central) also expressed support
for the bill, saying, “I commend the mover of this Bill and I urge
my colleagues to do the same.”

Speaking in the same vein, Senator Ajibola Basiru (APC-Osun
Central) said, “I stand to support that the Bill be allowed for
second reading.

“The content of the Bill is very germane. I am happy to be
associated with the sponsor and I urge my colleagues to support
this Bill for an expeditious passage.”

Senator Bassey Akpan (PDP-Akwa Ibom North-East) also expressed
support, saying, “I support this amendment and thank the mover of
this Bill.”

The bill then passed second reading.

In response, Senate President Ahmad Lawan referred the Bill to
the Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters, urging
them to report within four weeks.