House of Reps reverses second reading of bills on immunity removal, death penalty

By Kunle Sanni

The House of Representatives has reversed its decision on the second reading of two key bills—one seeking to remove immunity for the vice president, governors, and deputy governors, and another proposing the abolition of the death penalty in Nigeria.

According to The Cable, the reversal followed a motion moved by House Majority Leader Julius Ihonvbere during Thursday’s plenary session.

The bill to strip top executive officials of immunity, sponsored by Solomon Bob (PDP, Rivers), had passed a second reading on Wednesday.

The proposed amendment sought to revise Section 308 of the 1999 Constitution, which currently shields the president, vice president, governors, and deputy governors from civil or criminal prosecution while in office. It also prevents their arrest, imprisonment, or any legal process requiring their appearance in court.

Bob argued that the bill aimed to promote accountability in public office by ensuring that high-ranking officials could be held legally responsible for their actions while still serving.

The House also rescinded its decision on a bill that sought to abolish the death penalty.

Sponsored by Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu and six other lawmakers, the bill proposed an amendment to Section 33(1) of the 1999 Constitution, which guarantees the right to life but permits execution in cases where a court has sentenced an individual for a criminal offense.

The amendment aimed to remove the provision allowing executions, effectively eliminating capital punishment from Nigerian law.

With the reversal of both bills, further deliberations and potential modifications may be required before they can proceed in the legislative process.