March 27, 2025
The House of Representatives at plenary on Thursday rescinded its decision to pass for second reading a constitutional amendment Bill to strip the Vice President, Governors and Deputy Governors of immunity as conferred by section 308 of the Constitution as amended.
The bill to amend the Constitution to review penalty for certain category of offences, was also shelved for second reading.
The two bills were passed for second reading on Wednesday and referred to the House Committee for constitutional review.
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, the Governors and their Deputies in Order to Curb Corruption, Eradicate Impunity and Enhance Accountability in Public Office” wss sponsored by a member of PDP from Rivers state, Solomon Bob.
READ MORE; Reps Bill To Strip Vice President, Governors, Deputies of immunity Scale Second Reading
While the bill on penalty for certain capital offences 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 Offences in Alignment with Relevant International Best Practices,””was sponsored by Deputy Speaker, Benjamin Okezie Kalu & 6 others.
The Deputy Speaker who presided over Thursday’s plenary said the decision to rescind bills passage for second reading became necessary in view of the need to subject them to further debate.
Kalu said the bills will be brought back to the House for debate by members in view of the sensitive nature.
