A lawyer and rights activist, Kabir Akingbolu, has asked the Federal High Court in Lagos to stop the National Assembly (NASS) from passing any law that will grant immunity and life pension to principal officers of the Senate and House of Representatives.
Akingbolu said the lawmakers’ move violates constitutional provisions against corrupt practices and abuse of power, and is also ‘a coup against the people.’
Apart from the NASS, other defendants to the suit are Senate President, Bukola Saraki; Speaker, House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara and Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami.
The plaintiff argued that considering the provision of Section 14 (1) and (2) (b) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), NASS’ move to propose pension for its leaders is unlawful.
Alluding to Sections 15(5), 16(1)(b), (2)(a)(b) and 17 (1) of the Constitution, Akingbolu argued that the proposed laws will put resources ‘meant for the common good’ in the hands of a few individual, and also encourage corrupt practices.
“For decades, no member or officer of the National Assembly has been granted immunity and there was no harassment of the holders of the said offices.
“The move to immunize the officers of the National Assembly against liability for offences while in office is anti-people and unconstitutional because every citizen of Nigeria is equal before the law.
“All over the world, there is nowhere the members of the legislature are granted immunity against offences and the granting of same is crude, archaic and an attempt to bring lawmakers above the people and the law,” Akingbolu said.
No date has been fixed for hearing of the suit.
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