Bill to extend prosecution time for sexual offences passes first reading

A proposed bill to extend the time limit for prosecuting sexual offences committed against girls under the age of 13 has passed its first reading in the Federal House of Assembly.

Lawmakers are said to be deliberating on the bill, which was sponsored by Rep. Bitrus Laori, a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) representing Demsa/Numan/Lamurde federal constituency in Adamawa State.

The bill aims to amend sections 218 and 221 of the Criminal Code Act, which state:
“Any person who has unlawful carnal knowledge of a girl under the age of thirteen years is guilty of a felony and is liable to imprisonment for life, with or without caning.

A prosecution for either of the offences defined in this section of this Code shall be begun within two months after the offence is committed.”

Laori, however, revealed that the time limit is inadequate, pointing out that the two-month period is not enough to gather the necessary evidence for a successful prosecution.

According to him, it acts as a “defense” that allows offenders to escape criminal responsibility, even when it is clear that the accused committed the offence.

“The two-month window gives offenders an escape route from facing justice if the case is not pursued within that time. Often, the process of reporting the offence, arresting the suspect, investigating, collecting evidence, and starting a trial takes longer than two months.”

Laori added that many factors, including “threats, stigmatisation, and a lack of willing witnesses,” can delay the process, making the two-month time limit impractical.

“The result,” he said, “is that after two months, the offender is free from any criminal responsibility, while the victim is left without justice.”