House Of Reps Withdraws Bill To Remove VP, Governors’ Immunity

The House of Representatives has withdrawn a bill seeking  to amend the 1999 Constitution to remove the immunity granted to vice president, governors, and deputy governors, while also qualifying the immunity of the president

The bill was among the 42 Constitution amendment bills that scaled second reading during plenary on Wednesday.

Commenting on the decision of House to rescind the bill, Deputy Speaker, Banjamin Kalu, who chaired plenary on Thursday, 27 March said the move is intended to allow for more discussion and review of the contentious proposal.

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This piece of legislation 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),” was sponsored by Solomon Bob, a member representing Abua/Odual and Ahoada East in Rivers State.

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The aim of introducing the bill was to amend Section 308 of the Constitution, which at the moment gives the president, vice president, governors, and deputy governors total immunity while in office. The current legislation bars form of litigation against these officials regarding any civil or criminal offenses while they are in office.

Nevertheless, if the amendment is enacted, it will qualify the President’s immunity, which means that, under specific circumstances, the President may be sued while in office.

Additionally, it aims to fully eliminate immunity for governors, deputy governors, and the vice president, making them subject to prosecution while still in office.