Ex-Rivers Lawmaker Criticises nass Over Proposed Immunity Law

Former Leader of the Rivers State House of Assembly and chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr Chidi Lloyd, has criticised the National Assembly for seeking to make a law that will grant constitutional immunity to presiding officers and those of the State legislatures.
Lloyd who spoke in Port Harcourt, Rivers State capital at the weekend expressed surprise that the federal lawmakers would be considering making such a law when the country is going through some security challenges.
Lloyd, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State berated the national assembly which he said comprised more of APC members for going against what is not in the interest of the public.
He further said such consideration by the national lawmakers dominated by members of the ruling APC is self-serving, shameful and an indication that they don’t represent the interest of the Nigerian people.
According to him, “The move by the National Assembly to amend section 308 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria can only be described as self-serving and an indication that those leaders do not represent our interest.
“It is shameful and preposterous that this kind of legislation should be considered by an APC-led administration,” the former House leader stated.
He advised members of the federal legislature to learn from the parliament in Guatemala where the parliament in that country recently enacted a law stripping its President of immunity from criminal prosecution.
“It is indeed disheartening that a National Assembly of Nigeria would be considering a legislation of this matter when the parliament of Guatemala recently passed a legislation stripping its President from immunity from criminal prosecution. We have chosen to move in the opposite direction as usual.”
The Tide reports that the bill which seeks to amend section 308 of the 1999 Constitution by extending constitutional immunity to leaders in the State and National Assemblies has passed second reading in the House of Representatives.

By: Dennis Naku&Azenye Nworgu