A bill seeking to qualify the immunity conferred on the president, remove the one for the vice president, governors and their deputies, has passed through second reading in Nigeria’s House of Representatives.
Sponsored by Solomon Bob from Rivers State, the proposed law seeks to curb corruption, eradicate impunity and enhance accountability in public office.
The bill was amongst the 42 pieces of constitution alteration legislations that were read for second time at plenary presided over by the deputy speaker Benjamin kalu and referred to the House Committee on Review of the 1999 Constitution.
Also passed for second reading is a bill to review death penalty law which seeks to alter the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, to review the penalties for certain capital offences in alignment with relevant international best practices.
The proposed amendment aims to ensure that Nigeria’s criminal justice system reflects global standards of fairness, proportionality, and respect for human rights, while maintaining public safety and addressing serious crimes effectively.
The legislation seeks to promote a balanced approach to justice by incorporating alternative sentencing options that emphasize rehabilitation and accountability.
Similarly, the bills for laying of annual budget estimates before the National and State Houses of Assembly; separate the offices of the Attorney-General of the Federation, Attorney-General of a State from the Offices of the Minister of Justice of the Federal Government and Commissioner for Justice of the Government of a State also passed.
A proposed legislation to mandate all government statutory corporations, commissions, authorities, agencies including all persons and bodies established by law to submit yearly financial statement to the Auditor General within a specified period also passed second reading.
