The House of Representatives has rescinded its decision on a bill seeking to remove the constitutional immunity granted to the Vice President, state governors, and their deputies.

The reversal came on Thursday, a day after the bill passed the second reading without debate.

The proposed legislation—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, in Order to Curb Corruption, Eradicate Impunity and Enhance Accountability in Public Office and for Related Matters (HB.1664)—was sponsored by Hon. Solomon Bob, who represents Ahoada East/Abua/Odual Federal Constituency of Rivers State.

During plenary on Thursday, members voted to withdraw the bill’s passage for the second reading after a motion moved by the majority leader, Julius Ihonvbere, on the behest of the deputy speaker, who presided over the plenary session.

 

The same decision was taken on the bill that seeks to alter the Constitution to review the penalties for certain capital offences in alignment with relevant international best practices.

Kalu stated that further debate on the bills was necessary before the House could take a definitive stance.

Bob had earlier argued that the absolute immunity granted to political officeholders encouraged corruption and impunity, shielding them from accountability.

He, however, clarified that the bill did not seek to remove the president’s immunity entirely but rather to limit it to matters strictly related to official duties.

The bill was part of 42 constitutional amendment proposals that scaled the second reading on Wednesday, following 39 others that advanced on Tuesday.