Sexual offenders: Reps proposes 14 years imprisonment for offenders.

On Wednesday the house of Representatives passed a bill on sexual offence in tertiary institutions, “A Bill for an Act to prevent, prohibit and redress sexual harassment of students in tertiary educational institutions and related matters connected therewith.”

The sponsor and the house of rep spokesman, Akin Rotimi said, “It is enacted to promote and protect ethical standards in tertiary education, the sanctity of the student-educator fiduciary relationship of authority, dependency and trust and respect for human dignity in tertiary educational institutions.”

And he also said the motive of the bill was to provide protection for students in the tertiary institution from educator’s sexual harassment.

“Prevention of sexual harassment of students by educators in tertiary educational institutions; and redressal of complaints of sexual harassment of students by educators in tertiary educational institutions.”

According to the bill, “Any person who commits any of the offences or acts specified in clause 4 (1), (2) and (3) of this is guilty of an offence of felony and shall, on conviction, be sentenced to an imprisonment term of up to 14 years but not less than five years, without an option of a fine.”

The bill also made provision that, “An administrative head of an institution who fails to comply with the provisions of sub-clauses (1) and (2) of this clause of this bill is guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a minimum fine of N5m or imprisonment for 5 years, or both.”

Similarly, “Any person who commits any of the offences or acts specified in clause 4 (4), (5) and (6) of this bill is guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to an imprisonment term of up to 5 years but not less than 2 years, without an option of a fine.”