Randy Nigerian lecturers to spend 5 years in jail

The senate has passed the sexual harassment in tertiary education institution bill, 2016.

The bill, which seeks to prohibit sexual harassment in tertiary institutions, stipulates a five-year jail term and a fine of N5m for offenders.

It also makes false witnesses and accusers liable for prosecution.

Ovie Omo-Agege, a senator from Delta state, sponsored the bill.

The bill was debated on May 24, and it received the endorsement of many lawmakers.

Leading the debate on the bill when it was being considered for second reading in May, Omo-Agege had argued that sexual harassment was rife in many higher institutions of learning in Nigeria, hence the need for legislation against it.

“Sexual harassment is a vice in our higher institutions. We are using this bill to send a message that enough is enough,” he had said.

Theodore Orji, a senator from Abia state, had also expressed his support for the bill.

“I believe this bill will do enough in curtailing the vice in our higher institutions,”‎ he had said.

While making his contribution, Dino Melaye, a senator from Kogi west, had said that sexual harassment was a two-way traffic.

He had argued that some students wilfully seduce their lecturers with the aim of getting academic favours.

“I support wholeheartedly that this bill be enacted to stand as deterrent to lecturers who take advantage of female students,” he had said.

On Thursday, the upper legislative chamber passed the bill after a consideration of the report of the committee on judiciary, human rights and legal matters.