Reps Passes 14yrs Imprisonment Bill For Sexual Harassment in Tertiary Institutions

By Oluwakemi Kindness

The House of Representatives on Wednesday passed for third reading, “A bill for an act to prevent, prohibit and redress sexual harassment of students in tertiary educational institutions and related matters connected therewith”.

The bill proposes fourteen years imprisonment for those convicted of the offences and five year imprisonment or five million naira fine for heads of institutions that refused to act on complaints of sexual harassment by students.

Speaking with newsmen after Plenary, the Spokesperson of the House and sponsor of the bill, Akin Rotimi said the bill is enacted to promote and protect ethical standards in tertiary education.

He said that the bill aims at “Providing for the protection of students against sexual harassment by educators in tertiary educational institutions;

“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”.

“An educator shall be guilty of committing an offence or a felony of sexual harassment if he/she–Engages in any form of unwelcome physical contact or verbal conduct of a sexual nature with a student or prospective student, or demands such conduct, regardless of consent; or Creates a hostile, offensive, or intimidating environment for a student by making unsolicited or inappropriate sexual advances.

According to the piece of legislation, “Any person who commits any of the offences or acts specified in Clause 4 (1), (2) and (3) of this Bill 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 5 years, without an option of a fine”.

The bill also provides 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 N5,000,000 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 imprisonment term of up to 5 years but not less than 2 years, without an option of a fine”. Mr. Rotimi added.

END