Security Vote, Immunity Clause Must Be Abolished – NLC

This was contained in a statement made by the president of NLC, Ayuba Wabba, on Tuesday in Abuja.

Wabba revealed that security vote had become an avenue for siphoning public funds, as some state governments budget over N1 billion a month as security vote.

The NLC boss further called for the removal of the immunity clause from the constitution, stressing that the president, his deputy, governors and their deputies must be prosecuted for criminal offences committed while in office.

According to the statement, since political leaders in other parts of the world do not enjoy immunity against criminal prosecution, Nigeria should not be an exception.

“The issue of security vote is another form of corruption; in fact, there was a particular state which took N1 billion in one month as security vote,” the statement read.

“It is an avenue for corruption. In good governance, all monies spent by government are budgeted and transparently applied.

“That is what happens in other spheres; so for our sake, the issue of security vote should be done away with.

“All monies to be spent should be transparently budgeted for, including the so-called security vote, so that it can be tracked, to prevent corruption.”

On the removal of immunity clause, the congress said that “Even after they (political leaders) leave office, they use their influence and resources they have accumulated to frustrate prosecution.

“I have seen cases that lasted for eight to 14 years and were inconclusive. Some of these cases outlived the life of the administration that started the probe, due to this particular challenge.

“There are some cases that started before the administration of former President Olusegun Obansajo till now, it is still ongoing.”

Wabba noted that nobody should be given immunity against criminal prosecution while in office, stressing the need to review the constitution to address loopholes that gave room for some political leaders to steal the commonwealth.