The House of Representatives, on Thursday, rescinded its decision to pass for second reading, a constitutional amendment Bill to strip the Vice President, Governors and Deputy Governors of immunity as provided in section 308 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
The House also rescinded its decision to pass for second reading, the bill to amend the Constitution to review penalty for certain categories of offences.
The two bills were passed for second reading on Wednesday and referred to the House Committee on constitutional review.
The bill striping the Vice President and others of immunity 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” is sponsored by Solomon Bob (PDP, Rivers).
Also, 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,”” is sponsored by Deputy Speaker, Benjamin Okezie Kalu & 6 others.
The Deputy Speaker who presided over plenary said the rescission of the decision to pass them 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 of the issues involved.