Immunity bill not against anti-graft war, says Reps

The House of Representatives has faulted notions held in certain quarters that the moves to grant immunity to presiding officers of the National Assembly (NASS) is aimed at stalling the anti-graft war.

Spokesperson of the House, Abdulrazak Namdas, who addressed reporters at the NASS complex in Abuja yesterday noted that the initiative was in line with the need to ensure good governance in the polity.

He explained that it would require an amendment of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) before the proposal to allow presiding officers of both the national and states assemblies immunity from prosecution to become operational.

The Bill has been committed to the adhoc committee, which would be subjected to the rigors of constitutional amendment and would require the support of Nigerians before it can stand.

He stated that both Senate President Bukola Saraki, House Speaker Yakubu Dogara and other presiding officers of the legislative arm could not be beneficiaries of the proposed amendment since it cannot take retroactive action.

The Bill, sponsored by the House Minority Leader, Leo Ogor, was referred to the ad-hoc committee on the review of the 1999 constitution for further legislative considerations.