Constitution Review: Group Commends House for Removing of Immunity Clause

The  Stop Impunity Nigeria (S.I.N) campaign on Monday commended the House of Representatives for removing the immunity clause for the president, vice-president, governors and their deputies in the proposed constitution review.
It called on the Senate to follow suit so as to eliminate a major source of impunity at the highest levels of government.

The campaign described the decision of the House as a welcome development, saying it would facilitate accountability in the executive arm of government and instil restraint on some of our leaders who have consistently displayed unbridled criminality in the knowledge that they cannot be prosecuted for their actions.

The House at its session on October 15, voted overwhelmingly in favour of the removal of the immunity clause with 252 out of 261 in support, thereby outstripping  the constitutional requirement of two-thirds majority for such an amendment.

Noting that the decision of the House was consistent with that the final recommendation of the National Conference, the campaign coordinator, Prof. Bolaji Owasanoye, said: “The immunity clause in the constitution actually institutionalised impunity in Nigeria and no nation can progress without a check on impunity. The president and governors are laws unto themselves as they cannot be prosecuted even when they commit the most grievous of offences.  This is not good for the system or for our nation. We at the S.I.N Campaign are against impunity of any sort and we support the decision of the House of Representatives.”

The group noted that immunity does not allow for discipline, responsibility and accountability on the part of members of the executive arm who are immune to prosecution. It said the matter is worsened as the situation allows them to corruptly enrich themselves at the expense of citizens.

Owasanoye said: “Immunity fuels impunity. Remove immunity and executive lawlessness and recklessness will be gradually eliminated.”

He stressed: “A clear statement needs to be made that Nigeria is a law-abiding nation and that no one who commits any offence is immune from prosecution, as is the case with many countries around the world.  The removal of the immunity clause will be a first step in sending such a message to Nigerians and the global community, which should then also be followed by assurance that the laws are not just there, but that they are working and affect all citizens irrespective of their status.”

The Campaign urged all State Houses of Assembly to assert their independence when the matter comes before them and support the position of the House of Representatives.

It also called on all arms of government to put in place all necessary measures to ensure the independence of the Judiciary and insulate law enforcement agencies from political interference in order to enhance their effectiveness in the administration of justice.

Culled from: http://www.thisdaylive.com