Date: 2016-06-19

Speaker, Kwara State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Dr. Ali Ahmad has canvassed that the immunity for criminal prosecution being currently enjoyed by the President and Governors should be extended to the Senate president and his deputy, Speaker House of Representatives and his deputy and the Speakers and Deputy Speakers of State Houses of Assembly.

Ahmad said this in his address at the final session of the retreat on the Review of the 1999 Constitution organised by the Senate tagged "Towards Ensuring Governance Accountability in Nigerian Federalism" held in Lagos at the weekend.

In his submission which was overwhelmingly approved by the forum, the Speaker argued that currently, two of the three Arms of Government, heads of the Executive and of the Judiciary enjoy immunity from criminal prosecution until the end of their tenures.

He argued further that the immunity be either extended to presiding officers for the limited period of their tenures or be withdrawn from everybody.

Similarly, Ahmad got the forum's approval for the extension of the same rigorous procedure applicable to the process of impeaching the President and the Governor to the presiding officers of Legislative Houses in the country.

This, the Speaker noted would ensure stability and provides opportunity for the affected officers to concentrate on working for the progress of their respective Houses and states.

The proposal, having been overwhelmingly approved by the forum, will now form part of the Report that will be transmitted to the National Assembly for formal adoption as part of the Nigerian Constitution.