The House of Representatives has reversed its decision on two significant bills, including one seeking to strip the vice president, governors, and deputy governors of immunity while in office.
The move came after a motion was raised by Julius Ihonvbere, the Majority Leader, on Thursday.
The controversial bill, which had passed its second reading on Wednesday, was introduced by Solomon Bob, a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) lawmaker from Rivers State.
Bob explained that the bill’s goal is to “promote accountability in public office” by removing the constitutional immunity currently granted to the vice president, governors, and their deputies.
Read Also: Supreme Court orders CBN to halt fund allocation to Rivers
According to Section 308 of Nigeria’s Constitution, the president, vice president, governor, and deputy governor are immune from civil or criminal proceedings during their time in office, and cannot be arrested, imprisoned, or compelled to appear in court.
In another significant move, the House also rescinded its decision on a bill aimed at abolishing the death penalty. Sponsored by Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu and six other lawmakers, the bill seeks to amend Section 33(1) of the 1999 Constitution, which currently allows for the execution of individuals convicted of criminal offenses.
The proposed amendment would remove the phrase “Save in execution of the sentence of a court in respect of a criminal offence of which he has been found guilty in Nigeria,” effectively abolishing the death penalty.
