A bill sponsored by the senate which will make the Vice-President, governors and deputy governors lose their immunity and become liable to prosecution if they are indicted for misappropriation of public funds is currently in process. Presently, the President, his Vice, governors and their deputies enjoy protection by the nation's laws from criminal prosecution while in office.
The Proposed legislation brought forward by the Deputy President of the Senate, Ovie Omo-Agege, seeks to change this and if passed may alter the necessary sections of the constitution to make it possible for law enforcement agencies to arrest and prosecute the VP, governors and their deputies found guilty of funds' misappropriation, but excluding the president.
The bill is captured thus: 'An Act to alter the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, to qualify criminal liability for certain public officers under Section 308.'
It reads partly: “To persons who hold the office of Vice-President, Governor or Deputy Governor.
“If it is determined either by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Independent Corrupt Practices Commission, Nigeria Police and Department of State Services through a collaborative investigation that the said person is indicted by a court of competent jurisdiction for:
“(i) Financial misappropriation of funds belonging to the Federal, State or Local Government; or
“(ii) Sponsoring of thugs to perpetrate violence that causes injury or death of political opponent, a member of his family, agent or personal representative.”
