By Emeka Nwokocha
A renowned human rights defender and Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, on human rights, Activist Kelvin Ejumudo, has commended the Nigerian Senate for approving life sentence for child defilement in the ongoing amendment of the Criminal Code Act.
Activist Ejumudo made the commendation while speaking to journalists in Warri, on the passage of the Child Defilement Bill, saying, “It’s a landmark achievement and bold step towards curbing the prevalence of child defilement across the country,” stressing that crime become emboldened in society when the government lacks the political will to take crucial steps to strengthen its laws.
“I strongly commend the Nigerian Senate for approving the amendments to the Criminal Code Act that prescribes life imprisonment for anyone convicted of defiling a minor and also removed the option of fines,” he said.
Activist Ejumudo, who plays a frontal role in protection of the rights of girls and facilitating prosecution of persons arrested for defiling minors, charged members of the green chamber to give the bill an expeditious passage in order to put a final seal on the Child Defilement bill.
Ejumudo noted that life imprisonment for anyone convicted of defiling a minor is a huge success in the ongoing amendment of the Criminal Code Act.
“The approval of life sentence for child defilement is timely,” he stated, adding that the repeated calls by Civil Society Organisations, and good spirited Nigerians for an amendment of the Criminal Code Act is yielding the desired result.
Activist Ejumudo added, “I also commend other critical stakeholders especially the media for working assiduously to ensure the amendment of the bill sees the light of the day.’’
