Bill seeking immunity for legislators causes uproar

The House of Representatives went into a rowdy session on Tuesday, July 12, 2016 following a motion seeking the provision of immunity for National Assembly leaders.

The bill which also seeks to amend Section 308 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) was sponsored by the minority leader, Leo Ogor.

"The amendment is straight forward but it needs some clear explanation. The amendment seeks to strengthen the national assembly, they (leadership) should be protected in the period they are in office,” Ogor said.

He argued that the bill (if passed into law) would ensure the independence of the legislature.

The majority leader, Femi Gbajabiamila in a reaction faulted the timing of the bill. This sparked several other comments among the lawmakers; a situation which caused a frenzy in the green chambers for close to twenty (20) minutes.

Shortly after normalcy was restored, Speaker Yakubu Dogara, referred the bill to the special committee on constitutional review in accordance with the house rules.

Meanwhile, United States Ambassador to Nigeria, James Entwistle will expectedly produce evidence to support allegations of sexual misconduct levelled against three Nigerian lawmakers on Thursday, June 14, 2016.