The Senate on Wednesday fixed five-year jail term and five million naira fine for lecturers convicted for sexually harassment on male or female students.
This was contained in a bill on sexual harassment, sponsored by Deputy Senate President, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege (APC, Delta Central). The bill which was passed by the 8th Senate was reintroduced in the 9th Senate.
It had suffered a major setback because it was not granted assent by the President after being passed by the 8th Senate.
The reintroduction of the bill is particularly hinged on the rampant cases of sex for marks witnessed in schools across the country.
The decision by the Senators comes amid allegations of sexual harassments being levelled against two lecturers of the University of Lagos by female students. The stories, which were reported by the BBC, have provoked condemnations from all segments of the Nigerian society.
Media reports said Wednesday that the university authorities have suspended the affected professors.
The bill states that, “an educator will be “guilty of committing an offence of sexual harassment against a student if he/she has sexual intercourse with a student who is less than 18 years of age; has sexual intercourse with a student or demands sex from a student or a prospective student as a condition to study in an institution, or as a condition to the giving of a passing grade or the granting of honour and scholarships.”
Read also: OAU sacks Prof. Akindele after sex for marks allegation
It further stipulated that “Any person who commits any of the acts specified in Section 4 of this Act is guilty of an offence and shall, on conviction, be sentenced to imprisonment of up to five years, but not less than two years without any option of a fine”.
Lawmakers have argued that the bill should be more inclusive and not discriminatory or targeted only at university lecturers.
Meanwhile, seven bills scaled first reading in Senate on Wednesday. They are Federal Polytechnic Daura Act (Amendment) Bill, 2019, sponsored by Senator Babba Kaita Ahmad (APC, Katsina North); Modibo Adama University of Technology Bill, 2019, by Senator Aishatu Ahmed Dahiru (Adamawa Central); National Rice Development Council Bill, 2019, sponsored by Senator Muhammad Enagi Bima (APC, Niger South), and National Health Insurance Commission Bill, 2019, sponsored by Senator Yahaya Oloriegbe (APC, Kwara Central).
Others are National Institute for Business Studies Nnewi, Anambra State Bill, 2019, by Senator Ifeanyi Patrick Ubah (YPP, Anambra South), and Federal College of Education Monguno, Borno State Bill, 2019, sponsored by Senator Abubakar Kyari (APC, Borno North) respectively.
