Sexual Offenders (Registration) Bill, 2017 has passed second reading in the House of Representatives. The Bill seeks to establish a monitoring unit under the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking, NAPTIP that will be charged with the responsibility of registering and monitoring persons who have been convicted of committing sexual offences against minors under the age of 18. The Bill also seeks to give the agency competent jurisdiction against offenders within and outside Nigeria.

Leading the debate on the Bill at the plenary session of Wednesday, 18th January 2017, sponsor of the Bill, Hon. Ochiglegor Idagbo (PDP: Calabar) stated that the Bill’s proposal would monitor the activities of sexual offenders so as to prevent the reoccurrence of such offences. The mentioned that the Bill contained provisions requiring registered sexual offenders to report for routine updates and would enable members of the public to be aware of the status of an offender via a public website.

In addition, Hon. Idagbo expressed concern that the trauma, which children and minors suffer as a result of sexual offences, meted on them, and that any responsible society must be proactive in combating it. He further stated that there would be collaborations with relevant government institutions, police and non-governmental institutions to effectively monitor such sexual offenders.

The debate, which was unanimously adopted, has been referred to the Committee on Human Rights and Justice for further legislative input.