Fraction in Legislature as Some Senators Kick Against Immunity for National Assembly Leaders

Mixed reactions have trailed the proposal of some federal lawmakers to include NASS leaders on the list of public office holders with immunity.

 

Some lawmakers have kicked against the proposed amendment of the constitution that will give immunity to the National Assembly Leadership.

 

There had been a proposal from a section of federal lawmakers to move to change the constitution to include the Senate President and his Deputy, Speaker of the House of Representatives and his Deputy as well as the Chief Justice of the Federation in the list of public officers to enjoy the immunity clause already granted the President and Vice President as well as Governors and their Deputies.

  

However, Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Hon Leo Ogor, disclosed the proposed constitution amendment, may have emerged in response to the travails of the President of the Senate, Dr Bukola Saraki, who is on trial at the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) over alleged wrongful declaration of assets when he was the Governor of Kwara State.

 

However, the Seventh Senate had kicked against the change of the constitution for this purpose through its Spokesman, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe earlier this year.

 

Abaribe described the move as unnecessary and not within contemplation. He also pointed out that legislators already enjoy immunity under the Ethics and Privileges rule, which protects them from any punitive consequence of actions and things they say while in the hallowed chambers.

 

"We totally agree that this move is unnecessary if the protection of the leadership of the legislature from harassment is the issue. In recent years, lawmakers, especially our federal legislators, have demonstrated their ability to close ranks across party lines and protect their leadership when threatened by “external forces”. It is obvious that once the leadership continues to enjoy the support and confidence of members, the places are assured."

 

He added: "But if it is meant to shield them from criminal or alleged criminal misconduct, we totally oppose any such move. Public officers must answer for their misdeeds even while in office. We must strive to strengthen probity, accountability, transparency and integrity in public office, rather than introduce measures to promote impunity and corruption."