The Senate on Tuesday passed for second reading a bill seeking to provide stiffer sanctions against perpetrators of private and public violence and to create…

The Senate on Tuesday passed for second reading a bill seeking to provide stiffer sanctions against perpetrators of private and public violence and to create a support fund for victims.

The bill, titled: “Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act (Repeal and Re-enactment) Bill 2024”, was sponsored by Senator Isah Jibrin (Kogi East).

In his lead debate on the general principles of the bill during plenary, Senator Jibrin said the bill was aimed at addressing violence in all ramifications, stressing that the “several challenges and inadequacies” inherent in the 2015 act called for urgent legislative action to reposition the legislation for efficiency.

He said, “In Section 1 of the act, the offence of rape needs particular attention. There is a need to make a distinction between absence of consent and consent obtained by fraud, undue influence and other unlawful means.

“The act contains inadequate provisions for compensation of the victims of violence. The penal focus is on fines and imprisonment, with little on compensation.

“In addition to the punishments, it is better, by way of reparation for victims, to make adequate provisions relating to compensation. The grievous nature of the certain offences in the act, especially Section 22(1), makes the punishment provided inadequate.

“In view of the rampant cases of chemical attacks such as acid and other substances, offenders under this section should not be given an option of fine. Similarly, the term of imprisonment needs an upward review. The act does not create a victim’s support fund to cater for victims of violence and provide for its composition, funding and management.”