A Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana, said any president or governor who commits criminal act could be arrested while in office and taken for trials.
Falana said this while speaking on: “Limit of executive immunity” in Benin to mark the 60th birthday of the Secretary to the Edo State Government, Prof. Julius Ihonvebere.
Falana said immunity did not also extend to electoral fraud.
He urged the President of the Senate, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, and his Deputy, Ike Ekweremadu, to face the forgery charges against them rather than politicking about it, saying: “They have no immunity to dodge the charges against them.”
Falana said according to the Supreme Court ruling, there was no longer absolute immunity.
Therefore, he said, governors involved in criminal charges, including the leadership of the National Assembly, must face the law.
He faulted the invitation extended to the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, by the leadership of the Senate over the forgery allegation against Saraki and Ekweremadu.
He said: “The Senate is now politicising the issue, saying it is political victimization.
“But not that the offence was not committed.
“As leaders of the National Assembly, you are supposed to be above board and that is even the more reason you must be careful.
“But I want to remind the Senate that the Attorney General of the Federation is only answerable to his boss, who is the president, and nobody else.
“The same thing applies to the States.
“So there is no longer absolute immunity in this country.
“And that is why what is happening in Ekiti today about money found in a bank and the governor is saying it is illegal to freeze his account, that is not true.
“Any issue that is criminal in nature must be treated as such.”
Falana described Ihonvbere as a resourceful Nigerian, who fought doggedly for the nation’s democracy.
Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State; the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Pastor Usani Uguru; the Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Elizabeth Ativie; and other members of the State Executive Council were present at the occasion.
Trending
- Glo EVC promises company’s support to digital economy
- Hajj 2024: NAHCON tasks Media Team on responsible reportage
- 30 farmers, Islamic cleric killed in brutal attacks
- AltBank, Sterling One Foundation, Foodbank combat hunger, champion education
- Ex-lawmaker petitions EFCC over NCDMB’s investments
- Nigeria will continue to play strategic role in Africa — Tinubu
- Court stops Rivers Assembly Speaker, 24 others from parading themselves as lawmakers
- We’re not afraid to enforce our environmental laws — Lagos