The House of Representatives, Wednesday passed into second reading a bill to review upward the penalty for those who engage in Female Genital Mutilation, FGM in Nigeria.
Lawmakers,who spoke during the debate on the bill at plenary, the need for upward review of the penalty from 4 to 5years,whiile the fine should be raised from N200,000 to N1million
The sponsor Hon. Ganiyu Johnson explained that the upward review of the penalty as regards the bill will help contain the humiliating practice in the country.
The Chief Whip of the House, Hon. Mohammed Monguno in his reactions,said it is not enough to increase the years or amount on penalty for perpetrators of such crime but stress the important of public sensitization.
He further advocated the need for massive sensitisation of the general public with a view to avoiding such negative practices.
During the debate, an amendment by the deputy minority leader of the House, Hon. Tobi Okechukwu that the amount be increased to N2million was rejected on the ground that it must follow due process of the House.
The Speaker of the House, Hon Femi Gbajabiamila ruled in favour of the bill without any amendment,while referring the bill to the House committee on Women Affairs and Human Rights for further legislative actions.