The House of Representatives has revoked its decision on the second reading of the measure proposing to deprive the vice president, governors, and deputy governors of immunity.
The lower legislative chamber decided that Julius Ihonvbere, the majority leader of the house, proposed a resolution on Thursday.
Solomon Bob, a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) lawmaker from Rivers state, sponsored the bill, which passed its second reading on Wednesday.
He stated that the law aims to “promote accountability in public office” by eliminating the immunity currently afforded to the vice president, governors, and their deputies.
According to Section 308 of the constitution, the president, vice-president, governor, and deputy governor are immune from civil or criminal proceedings while in office.
The occupants of the office may not be arrested or imprisoned, and no court action may require or compel their appearance.
The green chamber also reversed its judgement on a bill to abolish the death penalty.
The bill, sponsored by Benjamin Kalu, the deputy speaker of the House, and six other parliamentarians, seeks to modify Section 33 (1) of the 1999 Constitution.
The preceding clause provides that: “Every person has a right to life, and no one shall be deprived intentionally of his life, save in execution of the sentence of a court in respect of a criminal offence of which he has been found guilty in Nigeria”.
The bill proposes removing the language “Save in execution of the sentence of a court in respect of a criminal offence for which he has been found guilty in Nigeria”.
