The Nigerian Senate has stepped down a bill seeking to impose a five-year prison sentence on individuals who supply drugs or instruments used to procure abortions, following widespread confusion over the bill’s intent and language.
According to Hobnob News, the bill, titled Supplying Drugs or Instruments to Procure Abortion, was suspended during Tuesday’s plenary session after lawmakers expressed concern that its current wording could criminalize legitimate medical practices.
Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin moved that the bill be referred to the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters for further legislative scrutiny and a detailed report within two weeks.
Senator Orji Uzor Kalu (Abia North), who seconded the motion, cautioned that the bill’s vague phrasing made it susceptible to misinterpretation.
“The confusion created by the title and interpretation — suggesting that anyone supplying or taking any form of medication could face imprisonment — requires clearer legal definition,” Kalu said.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio, who presided over the session, agreed with the motion and directed that the bill be stepped down pending a legal review.
“The Deputy Senate President has proposed that this bill be referred to the Committee on Judiciary and Legal Matters for further clarification. Distinguished Senator Orji Uzor Kalu has seconded the motion, and by the ‘ayes’ heard, it is hereby adopted,” Akpabio ruled.
However, the session took a brief dramatic turn when Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (Kogi Central) sought to address the chamber, arguing that the bill directly affected women and deserved a more nuanced discussion.
“Mr President, please may I speak? I am a woman, and abortion has to do with women,” she appealed.
Her attempt was immediately countered by Senator Adams Oshiomhole (Edo North), who warned that reopening debate after the gavel had fallen would breach parliamentary procedure.
“Once the gavel is dropped, no further debate can continue unless there is a motion for rescission. We must maintain the integrity of our rules,” Oshiomhole insisted.
Akpabio upheld Oshiomhole’s objection, citing Rule 52(6) of the Senate Standing Orders, which prohibits revisiting a concluded matter without formal procedure. He declared Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan out of order and reaffirmed that the bill had been suspended “in totality” until further notice.
The bill, which has stirred debate within and outside the National Assembly, will now undergo broader consultation and legal review before being reintroduced for consideration.
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