Lawmaker representing Afikpo North/Afikpo South Federal Constituency, Igariweh Enwo, says the immunity on governors prohibits the National Assembly from summoning them for civil and criminal proceedings while in office.
Enwo said this in an interview with reporters in Abuja on Wednesday, noting that he recently presented a petition before the floor of the House of Representatives.
The petition involves the Governor of Ebonyi State, Chief Nwifuru, and the Police in the Alleged Abduction, Illegal Imprisonment of Ohanaeze Youth President, Igboayaka Igboayaka.
Enwo, who said that the petition was improperly presented, said it was a constitutional infraction.
9News Nigeria reports that part of the statement said; “By virtue of Section 308(1) of the Nigerian Constitution, certain government officials like the governors, are protected from civil and criminal proceedings while in office.
“This is known as the “immunity clause”, therefore, the House has no business hearing that petition in first place because it cannot summon the governor,” he said.
He therefore advised lawmakers to carry out their legislative duties in accordance with the provisions of the constitution.
The lawmaker who expressed satisfaction with Nigeria’s democratisation process, said that it was growing.
Enwo affirmed his commitment to the rule of law, saying that he had delivered democratic dividends to his constituency.
