March 27, (THEWILL) – The House of Representatives has backtracked on a proposed constitutional amendment bill seeking to strip the Vice President, governors, and their deputies of immunity from prosecution.
The reversal followed the adoption of a motion moved by Majority Leader Julius Ihonvbere during Thursday’s plenary, which was presided over by Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu.
The bill, 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, Governors and Their Deputies, in Order to Curb Corruption, Eradicate Impunity and Enhance Accountability in Public Office and for Related Matters,” was sponsored by Solomon Bob (PDP, Rivers) and had passed second reading on Wednesday.
However, the Green Chamber reversed its decision, citing the need for further debate on key provisions of the bill.
The immunity clause, as enshrined in Section 308 of the 1999 Constitution, shields the President, Vice President, governors, and their deputies from criminal and civil prosecution while in office.
The provision, originally designed to prevent distractions and allow elected officials to focus on governance, has been widely debated, with critics arguing that it enables corruption and abuse of power.
The bill is now expected to undergo further legislative scrutiny before any final decision is made.
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