Speaker of the House of Representatives, Dimeji Bankole, has said that the House would take a final decision on whether to remove the immunity clause or not at the end of the trial of the former governors who allegedly enriched themselves while in office.
Speaking to journalists yesterday at the Murtala Mohammed Airport, Lagos, Bankole observed that the governors committed the alleged crimes under the protection of the immunity clause and it is after they have been tried and convicted that the lawmakers would justify its removal, adding that any member of the House indicted for fraudulent activities (419) would also be made to face the law.
The Speaker said that the statement made by President Umar Yar’adua suggesting that the immunity clause should be expunged might have been due to the fact that those governors allegedly looted the funds of their various states under the protection of the immunity clause.
“Quite frankly, I think because of the situation we have whereby the EFCC is beginning to invite former governors to answer questions, the president believe that may be that would have been sorted out if there was no immunity clause. It hasalso made the President believe that may be it would have prevented some other possible damage that might have occurred, but I would not be able to comment so much on that right now until such former public office holders have been convicted.”
The fraudulent governors have been tried and convicted. Due to an immunity clause, when the governors were in office, they could not be convicted of stealing money; nNow that they no longer have the title, they also no longer have the privilege. This again highlights how corrupt and unorganized the Nigerian government is, although they are heading in the right direction by punishing illicit behavior and not allowing former government officials special treatment.
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