The House of Representatives yesterday passed for second reading, a bill seeking the retention of immunity for the office of the President and the removal of same from the vice president, governors and deputy governors.
The bill was one of the 42 considered and passed through the second reading stage during a plenary presided over by the Deputy Speaker, Mr Benjamin Kalu, in Abuja.
Sponsored by lawmaker from Rivers State, Solomon Bob, the bill is seeking the amendment of Section 308 of the 1999 Constitution to prevent abuse of office and to ensure transparency in governance.
The title of the proposed legislation read: “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.”
Major amendments include changes to Section 308 of the Constitution, which currently grants immunity to the president, vice president, governors, and deputy governors while in office.
The proposed bill will amend subsection 3 to ensure that immunity only applies to the President and the vice president when acting as President under Section 145 of the Constitution.
Also, a new subsection 4 will be added to make the immunity clause inapplicable if the office holder is acting in an unofficial capacity, engaging in actions beyond the powers of the office, or involved in criminal conduct.
“The bill seeks to foster transparency and strengthen the fight against corruption by making public officials more accountable for their actions, both in and out of office.”
