NATIONAL ASSEMBLY LEADERSHIP QUEST FOR IMMUNITY: A LEGISLATIVE MISNOMER

Abstract

Immunity of public office holders is provided in the 1999 Nigerian Constitution (as amended). The provision only avails such officers as the President, Vice-President, Governor and Deputy Governors of the states of the federation of Nigeria. The essence of the provision of the immunity in the Nigerian Constitution is to avoid distraction of those concerned public officers while in office and protect them from unnecessary litigation in the court of law and to enable them concentrate in governance. Laudable as the intension of the drafters of the constitution might be, Nigerian leaders over time have latched on this constitutional provision to defraud, loot and siphon public funds with impunity knowing fully well that they will not be prosecuted while in office. The Leadership of the National Assembly is now seeking extension of this constitutional provision to them. This paper examined the propriety or otherwise of the National Assembly Leadership quest for immunity. The paper concludes that such request could only pass as a misnomer coming at a time when Nigerians are calling for the removal of immunity clause in the constitution as it encourages corruption in public service of the federation.