Reps reject castration as punishment for rapists by James Faleke

The House of Representatives has voted against a prayer by Mr James Faleke, seeking to recommend castration for rapists.

The House, at the plenary on Thursday, considered and adopted a motion on the rising cases of sexual violence in Nigeria.

Mr James Faleke, a member, had recommended that persons found guilty of rape should be castrated.

Just before the prayer was subjected to a voice vote, the Speaker, Femi Gbajabiamila, however, asked what would happen to an older female who rapes a younger male.

The comment generated noise in the chamber according to The PUNCH.

Putting the prayer to vote, the nays had it.

Moreso, in Osun State, the National Association of Osun State Students, an umbrella body for tertiary institution students from the state has demanded ‘death’ as punishment for any proven case of rape in the state.

Addressing newsmen in Osogbo on Thursday, the president of the group, Ayowale Salahudeen, said stricter sanction for rape must be adopted to serve as a deterrent.

Salahudeen said the group had commenced state-wide campaign tagged ‘SayingNoToRape’ as a result of increasing reports of rape across the country.

“The union wishes to strongly recommend to the government to announce capital punishment as the wage for rape. This will serve as a deterrent and a serve-it-well yardstick for the perpetrators who are undoubtedly nothing but animals.”

“As Osun State Students, it is vital that our schools and home be safe spaces for us to learn and love without fear of harassment or abuse of our fundamental human rights,” NAOSS President said.

Reacting to all, Speaker of Osun State House of Assembly, Mr. Timothy Owoeye, also expressed concern over the increasing rate of rape in the country.

Mr. Owoeye, in a statement signed by his press secretary, Kunle Alabi in Osogbo on Thursday said anyone found guilty of rape by a court in Osun State would be liable to life imprisonment.