The House of Representatives has made a U-turn on its decision to advance a bill seeking to strip the Vice-President, governors, and deputy governors of their immunity from legal proceedings.
The reversal came after a motion was moved by Julius Ihonvbere, the Majority Leader, during Thursday’s plenary session.
The bill, initially approved for second reading on Wednesday, was sponsored by Solomon Bob, a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) lawmaker from Rivers State. Bob argued that the bill was designed to “promote accountability in public office” by removing the constitutional protection that shields certain elected officials from civil and criminal prosecution while in office.
Currently, Section 308 of the 1999 Constitution grants immunity to the President, Vice-President, governors, and deputy governors, preventing them from being sued, arrested, or imprisoned while in office. It also restricts courts from compelling their appearance.
Reps Also Rescind Decision on Death Penalty Bill
In a similar move, the House also reversed its decision on a bill seeking to abolish the death penalty in Nigeria.
Sponsored by Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu and six other lawmakers, the bill proposed an amendment to Section 33(1) of the 1999 Constitution. This section guarantees the right to life but currently allows for execution as a lawful sentence for certain crimes.
The proposed amendment aimed to remove the clause permitting execution, which reads: “Save in execution of the sentence of a court in respect of a criminal offence of which he has been found guilty in Nigeria.”
The decision to rescind both bills suggests ongoing deliberations within the legislature on these critical constitutional matters.
