The Kebbi House of Assembly, has passed a Bill repealing the State Child’s Right Law number 012 of 2021 and re-enacting Child Protection Law, 2025.
This development followed the consideration of a report from the House Committee on Justice and Judiciary, presented during the assembly’s plenary on Tuesday.
Presenting the report, the Committee’s Chairman, Alhaji Faruk Abubakar (APC-Suru), reminded the members that, on Dec. 12, 2024, the bill was given the first and second readings and committed to the committee of the whole.
He recalled that the legislators unanimously through a voice vote opted for further legislative action.
“The committee had studied the bill thoroughly, which has 209 sections and 16 schedules with a view to streamlining and addressing all the challenges associated with the bill,” he said.
Abubakar added that about 20 interest groups and associations were invited and participated during the public hearing.
The participants, he said, included; traditional institution, Council of Ulama, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), International Federation of Women Lawyers (IFWL), Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and Child Right Advocacy Groups, among others.
The lawmaker said that the committee recommended that the year “2024” be replaced with the year “2025” and it remains the same wherever it appears in the bill.
“In section 26 (2), the committee recommends that the phrase “five hundred thousand Naira only” be changed with the phrase “five million Naira only” after the word “of” to now read “…of five million Naira only…”
“In section 30 (1)(a)(i), the committee recommends that the Roman figure (I) be changed to “any form of unlawful sexual intercourse involving a child by the use of genitals; sex toys, any other part of the body; or any other object to constitute penetration into genitals and/or anus including any act that constitutes oral sex”.
“In section 127 (9) (a)(i), the committee recommends that the word “of” be replaced with the word “Government” after the word “state” to now read “State Government,” he said.
Abubakar thanked all the stakeholders who participated in the public hearing and provided both written and oral inputs to contribute to the success of the report.
The Leader of the house, Alhaji Faruk Nasarawa (APC-Jega) presented the motion of the bill for third reading which was seconded by Alhaji Muhammad Tukur (APC-Shanga).
The Speaker of the house, Alhaji Muhammad Usman-Zuru, who presided over the plenary session, put the motion to a voice vote, and the lawmakers unanimously adopted the amendment.
He commended the committee for a job well-done, describing it as thorough and excellent job.
“This shows our commitment to protecting our children and promoting the welfare of every child in the state,” the speaker said. (NAN)
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