BACKGROUND

The Criminal Code Amendment Bill, sponsored in the house of
representatives and presented for concurrence by Opeyemi Bamidele, senate
leader, proposes stiffer penalties for individuals found guilty of aiding or
procuring ab0rtions.

Under the proposed amendment, the punishment for supplying
drugs or instruments to carry out ab0rtions would rise from three years to 10
years’ imprisonment without an option of fine.

The bill also aims to align Nigeria’s Criminal Code Act with
evolving social, moral, and medical realities.

The debate became heated as senators disagreed over what
constitutes an “unlawful ab0rtion”.

Saliu Mustapha, senator representing Kwara central, argued
that ab0rtion could be medically or religiously justified in certain situations
and should not automatically be treated as a crime.

Abdul Ningi, senator representing Bauchi central, also
raised concerns that the proposed amendment might discourage doctors from
providing essential medical advice or interventions in life-threatening
situations.

He called for the bill to be stepped down to allow for
broader consultations “to avoid endangering lives”.

AKPABIO RULES AKPOTI-UDUAGHAN ‘OUT OF ORDER’

Akpabio had intervened to suspend further consideration of
the bill, directing the senate committee on judiciary, human rights and legal
matters to review the contentious sections and report back within two weeks.

The motion to suspend was adopted through a voice vote.

Moments after Akpabio’s ruling, Akpoti-Uduaghan raised her
hand, appealing to be heard.

“Mr Senate President, please may I speak? I am a woman, as
ab0rtion has to do with women. It is very important, sir,” she said.

Akpabio responded that the matter had been “stepped down in
totality”.

However, Adams Oshiomhole, senator representing Edo north,
raised a point of order, warning that allowing Akpoti-Uduaghan to speak after
the gavel had dropped would violate the senate’s standing rules.

“If you grant the exemption to distinguished Senator
Natasha, then you must extend the same exemption to us,” Oshiomhole argued.

“At the end, we shall have no rules. The rules should be
firm and applied the way you have done.”

Akpabio upheld the objection, citing Rule 52, Sub-6, which
prohibits reopening a matter once it has been concluded.

“I rule Senator Natasha out of order,” Akpabio said.

‘I’M DISAPPOINTED’

Afterwards, Akpoti-Uduaghan expressed disappointment that
she was prevented from contributing to the debate on the controversial Criminal
Code Amendment Bill, which seeks to increase penalties related to ab0rtion
offences.

The senator said she felt excluded from a conversation that
directly concerns women’s rights and health.

“I am disappointed I wasn’t allowed to speak about an issue
that concerns women,” Akpoti-Uduaghan told TheCable after plenary on Tuesday.

“I am a woman, a mother, and I feel like I should have been
recognised to speak — especially as we were only two women in the senate today
during plenary — myself and Senator Banigo.

“My hand was up throughout the debate and I felt that the
senate president should have recognised me.”

She added that she remains passionate about issues affecting
women and intend to make her inputs when the bill reaches the committee stage.

Akpoti-Uduaghan recently returned from a six-month
suspension.

On February 20, the Kogi central lawmaker sparred with
Akpabio over seat allocation.

On February 28, Akpoti-Uduaghan accused the senate president
of making sexual advances at her.

She was suspended from the red chamber on March 6 for gross
misconduct.