House of Reps at plenaryHouse of Reps at plenary

Pat Stevens/

The House of Representatives today passed for second reading, a bill seeking to give leaders of federal and state legislatures immunity from prosecution despite sharp divisions among members.

The ‘Bill for an Act to Alter Section 308 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 to Extend Immunity to Cover Presiding Officers of Legislative Institutions,’ was sponsored by Mr Olusegun Odebunmi.

Before the bill was debated, the Speaker, Femi Gbajabiamila, said that he was against the bill and was not willing to benefit from the privilege if it was eventually passed and assented to.

He stressed that he would only support the proposal where it would take effect from 2023 after the current leadership ends its tenure.

The lawmakers eventually resolved that the bill should be subjected to a public hearing for the populace to accept or reject it.

0

By Editor

Leave a Reply