Reps reverse decision on bills seeking immunity removal
By Anwar Usman
The House of Representatives on Thursday has reversed its plans on the second reading passage of an amendment bill seeking to strip vice president, governors and deputy governors of their immunity.
The House also revoked its decision on the second reading passage of a bill seeking to amend the constitution to review capital punishment in the constitution on Wednesday.
Reports has it that the leader of the House, Prof Julius Ihonvbere at plenary on Thursday moved a motion seeking to recoke the earlier second reading passage of the bill and to be relisted for further debate.
Earlier, the deputy Speaker Benjamin Okezie Kalu who presided over the plenary, said the decision to rescind the passage of the bills was to enable lawmakers to thoroughly debate the bills before passage, given their sensitive nature.
The House of Representatives had on Wednesday passed for second reading, a bill seeking to amend the constitution to strip vice president, governors and deputy governors of immunity.
The bill was among the 42 considered and passed through second reading during Wednesday’s plenary session, presided over by the Deputy Speaker, Benjamin Okezie KaluThe bill which was sponsored by Rep Solomon Bob (Rivers PDP), is seeking an amendment of Section 308 of the 1999 Constitution to guard against abuse of office and to ensure transparency in governance.
Also, a Bill for an Act to Alter the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, to Review the Penalties for Certain Capital Offences in Alignment with Relevant International Best Practices and for Related Matters (HB. 2120) sponsored by Hon.
Benjamin Okezie Kalu and six others which was passed on Wednesday was also rescinded for further debate.