Why I’m pushing for removing of immunity for political leaders – Rivers Rep

The lawmaker representing Ahoada East/Abua/Odual Federal Constituency of Rivers State on the Home of Representatives, Solomon Bob, speaks with DIRISU YAKUBU on the necessity to take away immunity for the vp, governor and deputy governor.

Immunity clause was included within the structure to permit the president and different beneficiaries to deal with the enterprise of governance. Why are you pushing for the removing of the clause?

Nigeria isn’t as litigious as America. Probably the most litigious society on this planet is America. So, why has that argument not held water there? Why have the governors and presidents in America not been distracted by litigations? It’s a very spurious argument. Assuming that was the case, are you able to examine that with the untold ranges of impunity, corruption, and indiscipline that we’re uncovered to because of retaining this absolute immunity?

If a person needs to interact in actions that may completely make him a visitor of the courtroom, that’s his enterprise. He has guilty himself. You possibly can’t blame these going to court docket in opposition to him. The courts aren’t dumb to not recognise a frivolous motion. I’m very certain that the courts will do the best factor. If an motion has no advantage, they may throw it away.

How optimistic are you about this invoice?

I’m not very optimistic as a result of the powers that be won’t enable it. A few of my colleagues have described the invoice as unbelievable however they concern the governors won’t help it. However that’s not our enterprise. It’s not our enterprise to take a position what governors will do or not do. Let’s move it first and push the ball to their court docket. Then, let Nigerians see that they (governors) are obstructing what has been typically applauded as a obligatory modification.

As federal lawmakers, we’re not going to make legal guidelines in state assemblies. Let’s do our bit. If we fail to do our bit, how can we blame any person else for not doing their very own? With this invoice, we wish to see a much less corrupt society, a much less lawless, reckless society and a much less undisciplined place. We should get rid of this notion that we are able to go after these folks after they go away workplace. What the hell is that? If folks know that they are often pursued whereas in workplace, they’ll be extra cautious of their actions. It’s counterintuitive to suppose that we’ve to attend till they end their phrases to take motion in opposition to them.

Do you see your colleagues, notably these in the identical political get together because the president supporting this proposed laws?

I feel you will need to make an enormous clarification. I didn’t say the president’s immunity must be completely eliminated. I’m saying it must be circumscribed, curtailed however not made absolute. His immunity must be just for issues concerning his capabilities and duties as president as offered within the structure. We’re merely proposing that so long as the motion we’re speaking about is constant along with his position as enshrined within the structure, he can’t be liable personally, both in civil or legal issues.

Equally, when the vp turns into president both in an performing capability, he could be entitled to the identical immunity that the president has. However as vp, he doesn’t want it. Governors don’t want it. The deputy governors don’t want it as a result of within the first place, how do you give immunity to individuals who don’t want it? The issues we allow on this nation aren’t obligatory in any respect. We have to suppose by means of these items, analyse them and inform ourselves the reality.

The way in which issues stand as we speak, a governor can stroll right into a room, shoot all of the folks and go away. He’s shielded from prosecution as a result of he has immunity. We will’t proceed this fashion.

As I mentioned, a lot of my colleagues are conscious of the deserves of this invoice. They see it as an excellent proposal that may handle lots of the ills plaguing society as we speak. The concern is that governors who’ve an enormous say in making it turning into a legislation, won’t help it. You already know that for any modification to the structure to happen, it requires the help of two-thirds of the state homes of meeting. However we should always do our half as federal lawmakers and wait till it will get to the court docket of the governors.

Within the ninth Meeting, the then Speaker now Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, proposed immunity for federal lawmakers. You additionally talked about earlier that congressmen in america of America take pleasure in a sure stage of immunity regarding feedback made in Congress. Are you more likely to help this sooner or later?

No! We have already got too many centres of absolute insanity, the place persons are able to doing something with out being held accountable. Now we have a president, vp, 36 governors, 36 deputy governors. This implies the entire variety of governors and deputy governors is 72. In case you multiply this by the variety of federal lawmakers within the Senate and Home of Representatives, the insanity this immunity would convey will likely be out of this world. It is unnecessary. I used to be a part of those that killed that invoice within the ninth Nationwide Meeting as a result of it made no sense. I stood in opposition to it and I used to be comfortable that I did. It is unnecessary. Why do you want immunity? I do know of cases of governors within the U.S. who’re faraway from workplace for mere infractions. There was one who offered a Senate seat, about 5 years in the past. Instantly, the Federal Bureau of Investigation swooped on him and detained him. Whereas he was in detention, the Home impeached him and he went to jail.

Many Nigerians will ask: what significance is the removing of the immunity clause?

Folks say justice delayed is justice denied; sanction ought to comply with as quickly as potential when an offence is dedicated. Delay in prosecution may cause numerous issues. To begin with, there will likely be too many issues that will likely be carried out that can hinder the method of prosecution. They might have destroyed many shreds of proof. Lots of people who would ordinarily have acted as witnesses would have been purchased, they might have been corrupted. Paperwork would have been misplaced. It’s all the time simpler to cope with a matter of an infraction particularly when it’s legal whereas it’s occurring. I do know there is no such thing as a time bar for legal legal responsibility. However it’s all the time simpler and higher to cope with it whereas it’s sizzling, to place it that method. So, they don’t see the advantages that can accrue to the nation. If folks don’t see the advantages that can accrue to the nation, by ensuring that persons are held accountable for his or her actions, whereas they’re really ready to be held accountable, then they don’t seem to be severe about main the nation.

If a person commits a severe offence, it’s only proper that he’s arrested and prosecuted instantly. In case you wait till eternity, there will likely be no justice. A person commits an offence one month into his time period, however you say he has 4 years first, and possibly a couple of months to the tip of his tenure, he dies. If it’s a legal offence, that’s the tip. So, why will you wait for a very long time for the person to depart workplace when you’ll be able to take motion and be sure that he’s accountable for no matter he’s carried out?

Does Nigeria want a brand new structure or will an amended 1999 structure give Nigerians the recent begin they’re longing for?

I feel we’d like a brand-new structure. I’ve mentioned it many instances. A constitutional modification is turning into a ritual each 4 years. If we are able to’t get a brand new structure, then the president ought to submit a complete constitutional reform proposal to the Nationwide Meeting. That may go very far to altering essentially the construction of this very structure.