The Immunity Clause shields Corruption and Abuse of Office by Public Officers in Nigeria
This paper continues the debate on the constitutional immunity reserved for a few elected office holders in Nigeria by questioning its rationality. The immunity clause provision, as contained in the nation's constitution, is a safeguard or shield for the beneficiaries to legal impediments or inhibitions in the discharge of their constitutional duties or functions, and to promote good governance so as to ensure accelerated development in the society. The legal framework put in place to check corruption in public office was examined against the massive corruption by some public officers to whom the constitutional immunity applies. This paper argues that the immunity shields corrupt public officers and by extension emboldens corruption in public office. Finally, this paper proffers possible ways the ills so far associated with the clause can be corrected by way of recommendations.