Reps’ Move To Stop National Assembly Presiding Officers From Being Prosecuted

House Speaker Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila (File image courtesy Gbajabiamila)

Nigeria’s House of Representatives Tuesday passed for second reading the bill seeking to extend immunity to the presiding officers of the National Assembly.

The presiding officers are Senate President and Deputy Senate President, and Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives.

Concise News understands that Nigeria’s Constitution, as regards immunity, currently covers only the President, Vice President, Governors and their Deputies.

Sponsored by Odebunmi Olusegun (APC, Lagos), the bill is for an Act to alter Section 308 of the 1999 Constitution to extend immunity to cover presiding officers of legislative institutions, and for related matters.

Olusegun stated that the bill was intended to protect the institution of the legislature from distraction caused by unnecessary legal actions against the presiding officers.

But the the Minority Leader, Ndudi Elumelu, faulted the bill.

“Outside here, our people are being killed and butchered. We are coming up with a bill on the issue of immunity while some of us are saying that people should be held accountable for what they do. I think it is wrong and it should not be allowed,” Elumelu said.

As for the House Leader, Ado oguwa, who supported the bill, he said the national assembly leaders needed immunity to avoid harassment during the discharge of their duties.

. Reps’ Move To Stop National Assembly Presiding Officers From Being Prosecuted Follow Concise News.