SENATE STEPS DOWN CONTROVERSIAL BILL ON DRUGS USED FOR ABORTION
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By Aishat Momoh. O.
The Senate on Tuesday suspended deliberations on a bill seeking to impose a five-year jail term on anyone who supplies drugs or instruments used to procure abortion, following confusion over the bill’s intent and wording.
The development was captured in a session broadcast by .
The bill, titled Sublime Drugs or Instruments to Procure Abortion, was stepped down after the moved that it be referred to the for clearer interpretation and recommendations within two weeks.
Senator (Abia North) seconded the motion, describing the bill as “unclear and potentially misleading.” He cautioned that, in its current form, the legislation could criminalise legitimate medical prescriptions.
“In view of the confusion generated by the title and the interpretation that anyone taking or supplying any drug at all could face five years imprisonment, it is only fair that this bill be stepped down for clearer legal interpretation,” Kalu said.
Presiding over the plenary, upheld the motion, noting that the proposed law required careful legal scrutiny.
“The Deputy Senate President has proposed that we step down further consideration of this bill and refer it to our Committee on Judiciary and Legal Matters to get back to us in two weeks,” Akpabio announced before calling for a voice vote. The motion was unanimously adopted.
Moments later, Senator (Kogi Central) sought to speak, stressing that the issue directly affected women and required more sensitivity.
“Mr President, please may I speak? I am a woman, and abortion has to do with women,” she appealed.
Her request, however, was opposed by Senator (Edo North), who cited parliamentary rules prohibiting debate on a matter already concluded. “Once the gavel has been dropped, the rule is clear — no further discussion,” Oshiomhole stated.
Akpabio sustained the objection, citing Rule 52(6) of the Senate Standing Orders, which forbids revisiting a matter except through a formal motion for rescission.
He ruled Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan out of order, reaffirming that the bill had been “stepped down in totality” pending the committee’s review.
The bill, which has already stirred public debate, will undergo further consultations and legal analysis before returning for fresh consideration by the Senate.
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