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‘Immunity Clause Has Done More Harm’
The former presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Prof. Peter Nwangwu, says the Immunity Clause in the 1999 Constitution should be removed because “it has done more harm than good”.
Nwangwu said in Lagos that its removal would serve more benefits to the nation.
He said: “No political office holder, including governors and the president, should have immunity while in office.
“Immunity from any criminal offence, including stealing or breaking the law in anyway, should not be allowed.
“The provision has been abused repeatedly with impunity, so the country needs it so as to fight corruption in high places.”
The former presidential candidate said politicians and leaders would be a lot more careful about doing things in office if the Immunity Clause was removed.
“Anyone who does not like the removal should stay away from serving in that capacity since the nation will be better for it.’’
He stressed that the more fundamental question was whether the judiciary and law enforcement officials had the mindset and the political will to prosecute and punish offenders severely.
He, however, said the “mess’’ in the nation’s corruption scandals and abuses had been committed by people who did not have immunity.
Nwangwu said such abuses included the mess in privatisation by the Bureau of Public Enterprise, the fuel subsidy probe, the banking sector, the stock market crisis and the police pension funds scandal.
He said the corrupt system did not allow proper punishment for people without immunity who committed crimes for which they should be sentenced to death or life imprisonment.
The politician said said if the immunity clause was removed, offending governors and presidents would be prosecuted and punished properly.
“I speak as a former presidential candidate who was ranked 6th out of the 20 candidates in the 2011 elections, even after stepping down for Jonathan.
“I insist that there should be no Immunity Clause for presidents and governors.’’
A public analyst and a Lagos-based lawyer, Mr Ikechukwu Unegbe, also said he supported the removal of the clause.
He said it would be only on matters pertaining to criminal and financial crimes.
“In other words, we should maintain immunity clause on matters that are purely civil in nature; so this way, it will be difficult for persons to sue protected officers over personal civil matters.
“But on criminal and financial matters, where a prima facie case has been established against the officers, they should not enjoy immunity.
“You cannot allow a criminal to run the state or the nation.’’
He expressed the view that immunity clause would not distract any political office holder while in office.
“Do not forget that each governor and president took Oath of Office.
“If you go and read the words of the Oath, you will see that anyone who breaches it should not be allowed to stay a day longer in office.’’
The Mayor of Housing, My-ACE China, has teamed up with a renowned hospital group in Port Harcourt, the Meridian Hospitals, which is in partnership with the Pilgrims Health Foundation, to carry out a one-day medical outreach last Tuesday.
The free treatment scheme took place at Oromenike Government Girls Secondary School in D-Line, Port Harcourt, with over 100 persons accessing free treatments, including free eye-glasses and booking for eye surgeries.
Other areas of treatment included general health consultations and treatment; blood pressure and sugar level testing; malaria testing and treatment; free prescriptions; preventive health talks focusing on hygiene, maternal health, and nutrition.
The scheme was conducted under the theme: ‘Bringing Healthcare to the Community.’
Newsmen who visited the venue of the scheme found that enthusiastic beneficiaries had thronged the area as early as 7a.m. After setting up, the medical team began attending to the patients.
Mr. Jerry Onwuso, a 63-year-old patient, who was first to see eye doctors and got eye glasses and drugs, told newsmen that he was pleased with the medical intervention.
He made it clear he did not pay any money to get all the treatments and glasses, and pleaded that the scheme be sustained.
Another patient, Loveth Sam, expressed satisfaction with the scheme and appealed to the sponsors to continue to increase the benefits.
Throwing some light on the scheme, Mr. China said he worked in Meridian Hospitals as a Lab. Scientist 19 years ago, but resigned because he could not bear to see patients struggling for life because they had no money to pay for treatment.
He said he came back to help extend free medical treatment to the less privileged.
Sources said China was always having issues with the hospital authorities when he would insist on critical patients being allowed to be treated first, with or without money.
Years later, China, who now goes by a brand name, the Mayor of Housing, returned to the Meridian Hospital headquarters to support free medical scheme.
He also went the next day to the headquarters of Meridian, after the one-day medical outreach, to give cash gifts and palliatives to workers he met when he worked there but had remained in service since he left.
He encouraged them to continue to give their all to humanity through the hospital. The Mayor of Housing called most of them by name and a cloud of emotions descended on them during the reunion.
Appreciating the gesture, the Founder and Chief Medical Director, Dr. Iyke Odo, said China had always manifested hard-work, ambition, and impulsive giving.
According to him, the then young bright boy was full of humanity, kindness, love, and made friends easily, adding that “not everybody that gives is a giver. The difference is that givers are given to give.”
Dr. Odo used the opportunity to call on governments to review Nigeria’s health insurance system and make it work in Nigeria to save lives.
He said it was sad watching critically sick persons abandoned because they did not have money for treatment.
He also condemned harsh tax and electricity tariffs whereby facilities like his now pay N12 million instead of N500,000 few years back.
He wondered why hospitals were being made to pay tariffs like oil companies, citing many other countries where medical facilities were placed on low rates and tariffs so they could charge moderate fees from patients.
The Renewed Hope Initiative in conjunction with the Rivers State Government has empowered 500 elderly citizens in Rivers State with financial support of N200,000 each.
The empowerment programme was part of activities to celebrate the third anniversary of the Renewed Hope Initiative Elderly Support Scheme RHIESS, a social investment policy initiated by the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu.
Speaking at the event which held at the Government House, Port Harcourt, recently, under the theme, ‘Finding Joy in Old Age,’ Senator Tinubu said the gesture which has become traditional since 2023 was a mark of gratitude in recognition of the invaluable contributions of the senior citizens to nation building.
The First Lady who was represented by the wife of the Rivers State Governor and State Coordinator of the Renewed Hope Initiative, Lady Valerie Fubara, said the scheme was to “support two hundred and fifty (250) vulnerable elderly citizens aged 65 and above in all the 36 states of the federation, the Federal Capital Territory, and veterans from the Defence and Police Officers’ Wives Association (DEPOWA) totalling 9,500 selected beneficiaries across the nation.
She urged the beneficiaries to engage in activities that will make them find joy in old age.
“I encourage you to continue playing your part by staying healthy and active, nurture both your body and mind through regular exercise and meaningful engagement,” Senator Tinubu advised.
On her part, Lady Fubara said the State Government through the magnanimity of the governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has increased the beneficiaries of the programme from 250 to 500.
She restated the commitment of the State Government towards provision of social welfare and improving the standard of living of the elderly in the State.
Also speaking, the Executive Secretary, Rivers State Contributory Health Protection Programme (RIVCHPP), Dr Vetty Agala, said the State Government has through the Health4allrivers Initiative, introduced free medical care for senior citizens in the State, in line with the Renewed Hope Initiative.
