By Yusuf Adua
The Oyo State House of Assembly has reaffirmed its commitment to the protection of Child’s right, as it passed child sexual offences bill, 2019 into law.
According to the new law which was passed during the State lawmakers’ plenary on Tuesday, any person who engages in domestic sexual violence with a child is guilty of an offence and liable on conviction to a minimum of five years imprisonment or minimum of N500, 000 or both.
Speaking during the third reading, the Speaker of the house, Rt. Hon. Adebo Ogundoyin lamented the rising cases of child abuse in the society, noting that the just passed bill is an effort towards ending rape, child abuse and other sexual offenses.
Ogundoyin said that the Oyo State government is obviously committed to nipping rape and other sexual offenses in the bud, and relevant laws are needed to ensure offenders are duly punished.
He said, “Aside offenders of domestic sexual violence, any person who causes pornographic materials to be sent to public space or cyber space to which a child may have access is guilty of an offence and also liable on conviction to five years imprisonment or fine of N5, 000, 000 or both.
“Likewise, any person who stigmatizes a victim of sexual offences under this just passed bill is guilty of an offense and liable on conviction to maximum of two years imprisonment and maximum fine of N200, 000.
“The committee on women affairs a and community development have done a commendable work and we trust the executive will assent the law in no time for proper implementation and effectiveness.”
