Senators advocate death penalty for child rapists

Oluremi Tinubu, senator representing Lagos central; and Thompson Sekibo, senator representing Rivers east; have both advocated death sentence for child rapists.

The senators moved for the penalty while contributing to a debate on a motion sponsored by Rose Okoh, senator representing Cross River north, on Tuesday.

Oko had drawn the attention of the upper legislative chamber to the growing rate of rape on children.

In her contribution to the debate, Tinubu noted that children are very vulnerable to the crime.

“It is very criminal and I think it will warrant a death sentence at this point in time,” she said.

“Most of these acts are done by people living with the victims. They are mostly relatives. It is time we do the right thing to curb this menace.

“Parents should be given the orientation on how to raise their children. They should sensitise their children on sex education too.”

On his part, Sekibo lamented that the issues of rape are taken for granted.

“If a man commits sexual abuse on a six-month old baby, it is criminal. That person ought to be killed not to be sentenced. It has been happening in this country and perpetrators are not punished,” he said.

“Are there no laws? don’t we have departments of governments that are handling these laws?
The problem is, when issues are reported, people take it for granted.”

While moving the motion earlier, Oko said six out of 10 children under the age of 18 experience emotional and sexual violence.

“The lack of training of security officers on how to deal with victims of sexual abuse,” she said.

The senators urged the federal government to implement the child rights act and the violence against persons prohibition act in a bid to curb sexual abuse against minors.

The lawmakers also urged the judiciary to establish a “national sentencing framework” for child sexual abuse cases.