The House of Representatives has rescinded its earlier approval of a bill seeking to revoke the immunity granted to the vice president, governors, and their deputies.
The reversal took place on Thursday following a motion by Majority Leader Julius Ihonvbere.
The bill, originally proposed by Solomon Bob, a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) lawmaker from Rivers State, had passed its second reading on Wednesday.
Bob argued that the amendment aimed to enhance public accountability by removing legal protections that prevent these officials from facing civil or criminal proceedings while in office.
Currently, Section 308 of the Nigerian Constitution shields the president, vice president, governors, and deputy governors from arrest, imprisonment, or court summons throughout their tenure.
Bob emphasized that eliminating this immunity would help combat corruption, reduce impunity, and improve governance.
In addition to this, the House also reversed its position on a separate bill that sought to abolish the death penalty. This bill had also passed its second reading during Wednesday’s plenary session.