By Chukwudi Obasi, Abuja
The House of Representatives yesterday reversed its decision to pass for a second reading a constitutional amendment bill seeking to strip the Vice President, Governors, and Deputy Governors of immunity as conferred by Section 308 of the Constitution.
The House also rescinded its decision on a separate bill to amend the Constitution to review penalties for specific categories of offences.
Both bills were initially passed for a second reading on Wednesday and referred to the House Committee on Constitutional Review.
The bill seeking to strip the Vice President and others of immunity 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 to Curb Corruption, Eradicate Impunity, and Enhance Accountability in Public Office.” It is sponsored by Solomon Bob (PDP, Rivers).
Similarly, the bill seeking to review penalties for certain capital offences is titled: “A Bill for an Act to Alter the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Cap. C23 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, to Review the Penalties for Certain Capital Offenses in Alignment with Relevant International Best Practices.” It is sponsored by Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu and six others.
Deputy Speaker Kalu, who presided over plenary, explained that the decision to rescind the passage of the bills for a second reading was necessary to allow further debate.
He emphasised that, given the sensitive nature of the proposed amendments, the bills would be reintroduced for more extensive deliberation before any further legislative action.
