A Bill to
protect dead bodies and to prohibit the desecration of human life on Tuesday,
passed second reading at the House of Representatives.
The bill
entitled “A Bill for an Act to Prohibit the Desecration of Sanctity of Human
Life and Dead Bodies in Nigeria” was sponsored by Rep. Rita Orji (PDP-Lagos).
Presenting
the bill, Orji said that when passed, it shall defend the sanctity of human
life as well as compel people to respect the dead.
According
to her, the desecration of a dead body should not be tolerated in any way.
Orji
pointed out that all over the world, institutions which handled dead bodies,
including security agencies, follow laid down rules.
“All
religions have respect for the dead; different religions, especially the
monotheistic faiths, don’t accept any desecration of their own dead or the
enemy’s dead,” she said.
Speaking
in support of the bill, Rep. Johnson Agbonayinma (PDP-Edo) expressed concern
over how dead bodies were handled in the country.
According
to him, the manner which Nigerians treat dead bodies will continue to place the
country in bad light.
“I wonder
how people would decide to make money from dead bodies; this is another form of
corruption.
“Remember,
we are all going to die one day, so let us all support the bill,’’ Agbonayinma
said.
Also, Rep.
Henry Archibong (PDP-Akwa Ibom) said “in the modern day Nigeria, a lot of
people are into selling of dead bodies.
“Some are
even exhumed, dismembered and sold or used for all kinds of rituals.
“If the
bill is passed and signed into law, it will take care of such acts as adequate
penalties will face the culprits,’’ Archibong added.
Through a
unanimous decision, the bill passed second reading and was referred to the next
stage.
-NAN
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