Nigeria, Oct. 22 -- Senators on Tuesday debated an amendment to Nigeria's Criminal Code Act seeking to prescribe life imprisonment for anyone found guilty of defiling minors, regardless of gender.

The amendment bill, which originated from the House of Representatives, aims to update the Criminal Code to reflect Nigeria's current realities and strengthen the protection of children from sexual abuse.

Under the proposed law, lawmakers recommended life imprisonment as the penalty for anyone convicted of defiling a minor, replacing the previous maximum sentence of five years.

The proposal was unanimously adopted through a voice vote during plenary.

Following the decision, the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, warned that anyone found gui...