Bill To Remove Immunity For Vice President, Governors, And Deputy Governors Passes Second Reading In House Of Representatives

A bill seeking to strip the Vice President, Governors, and Deputy Governors of immunity from prosecution has successfully passed its second reading in the House of Representatives.

Naija News reports that the bill, which aims to amend the Constitution of Nigeria, was debated and voted on during Wednesday’s plenary session.

The proposed legislation is sponsored by a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) lawmaker from Rivers state, Solomon Bob.

He said the bill seeks to “promote accountability in public office” by removing the immunity currently granted to the vice-president, governors, and their deputies.

Section 308 of the constitution confers immunity on the President, Vice President, Governors and their deputies, exempting them from criminal and civil prosecution while in office.

The House also passed, for second reading, a constitutional amendment Bill to create a constitutional role for traditional rulers while providing for the recognition of the advisory role for them in the constitution.

The two bills are part of the 42 on devolution of power, strengthening of institutions, state creation, traditional rulers citizenship, fundamental rights and objectives and local government passed by the House.

On Tuesday, the House passed 39 constitutional alteration bills for second reading.

While passing a bill to provide for stronger measures and checks for the sustenance of autonomy of local government system in the country, it also passed for second reading another constitutional alteration bill seeking to remove local government as a tier of government constitutionally recognised and funded by the Federal Government.

The second bill sponsored by Bob, seeks to vest the creation and funding of local government on the states.

The House is also seeking to amend the constitution to review the framework for local government administration, establish a robust legal regime to strengthen administrative efficiency, promote transparency, accountability and deepen democratic practice in the local government.