A bill to make it a criminal offence for parents to abandon a child after birth has passed for second reading in theHouse of Representatives.

The bill, sponsored by a lawmaker, Mr. Sergius Ogun seeks to amend section fourteen of the Child Rights Act.

According to Mr. Ogun, it seeks to impose sanctions on any parent who abandons a newborn child and absconds after birth.

The bill is proposing a fine of two hundred thousand naira or imprisonment of six months against anyone convicted by the court for the offence.