House of Representatives Wednesday passed for second reading, a constitutional amendment bill seeking to remove immunity from the vice president, governors and their deputies.
The lawmakers said the move was to curb corruption and impunity and enhance accountability in public office.
The Constitutional Amendment Bill sponsored by Solomon Bob (PDP, Rivers) reads: “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, governors and their deputies, in order to curb corruption, eradicate impunity and enhance accountability in public office and for Related Matters.”
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.
