The bill prohibiting s3xual harassment of students by educators in tertiary institutions, seeking five years but not less than two years jail term with no option of fine has passed second reading at the Senate today.
According to the sponsor, Ovie Omo-Agege, a senator from Delta central, s3xual harassment was the order of the day in many higher institutions of learning in Nigeria.
While soliciting the support of other Senators, Ovie said: “S3xual harassment is a vice in our higher institutions. We are using this bill to send a message that enough is enough”.
Theodore Orji, a senator from Abia state, expressed his support for the bill stating that, “I believe this bill will do enough in curtailing the vice in our higher institutions”.
According to Senator Dino Melaye, representing Kogi west, s3xual harassment was a two-way traffic.
He argued that some students wilfully seduce their lecturers with the aim of getting academic favours.
He said: “I support wholeheartedly that this bill be enacted to stand as deterrent to lecturers who take advantage of female students.
“However, the seductive and provocative dresses of our students who enter offices of lecturers who have no anointing to resist s3xual temptation should be discouraged.”
Making her contribution, Stella Oduah, a senator from Anambra north, called for a quick passage of the bill.
Senator Stella lamented: “When you harass these girls you have ruined their lives. We should encourage an accelerated passage of this bill.”
In his contribution, Yahaya Aliyu, a senator from Kebbi north, called for a blanket law against s3xual harassment, instead of one that is targeted at a section of society.
“If we are to make laws against s3xual harassment we should do it across the board. Targeting one section of society is discriminatory,” he said.
After listening to the arguments, Senate President Bukola Saraki put the bill to a voice vote to which lawmakers gave their nods.
Saraki however referred the bill to the committee on judiciary for more legislative treatment, and directed it to submit its report within four weeks.
The bill has to be read a third time, before it is passed