The House of Representatives has passed for second reading a bill seeking to strip the Vice President, Governors, and their Deputies of immunity from prosecution.
The bill, sponsored by Rep. Solomon Bob, was among 41 other bills that scaled second reading during Wednesday’s plenary session.
It has been referred to the House Committee on Constitution Review for further legislative action.
Explaining the objective of the bill, Bob stated that it seeks to “promote accountability in public office” by eliminating the immunity currently enjoyed by the Vice President, Governors, and their Deputies.
The bill is titled:
“A Bill for an Act to Alter the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 to Qualify the Immunity Conferred on the President, Remove the Immunity Conferred on the Vice President, the Governors and their Deputies, in Order to Curb Corruption, Eradicate Impunity and Enhance Accountability in Public Office and for Related Matters (HB.1664).”
Under Section 308 of the 1999 Constitution, the President, Vice President, Governors, and Deputy Governors are protected from civil or criminal proceedings while in office.
If this bill is passed into law, only the President would retain immunity from prosecution.
