A former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Ali Pantami, has called for a review of immunity for leaders as part of measures to ensure accountability in governance.
Section 308 of the Nigerian constitution states that no civil or criminal proceedings can be instituted against the president, vice president, governor or deputy governor and they cannot be arrested or imprisoned or a process of any court requiring or compelling their appearance can be issued against them.
Pantami, also a former Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), made the call in Abuja at the annual lecture of The Muslim Congress (TMC) with the theme ‘Building a Great Nation: Collective Responsibility of the Leader and the Led’.
The lecture was organised to commemorate Nigeria’s 64th Independence Anniversary.
The former minister, speaking on the topic ‘Good Governance: Catalyst for Economic Growth and Development’, said African countries and Nigeria in particular are still struggling to attain good governance because of ineffective leadership and immunity clause that do not give room from proper accountability from the leaders to the led
Pantami said Islam do not give room for immunity as leaders are meant to be accountable to the followers as to how they manage resources in their care.
He charged those in power to be mindful of the post-office period when they will be without protection from the law against any dishonest or illegal actions while in office.
He said: “In Islam, there is no immunity. And immunity may give you a certain privilege while in office. When you are no more there, there is no any advantage. Sometimes it is good for you, but sometimes it allows you to accumulate so many problems.
“When you leave office, you will discover after four or eight years that someone is being confronted with 10, 50 charges, in some situations, even 120 charges. So, it is not in any way protecting you from justice, but it is only delaying and allowing you to commit more and more.
“So, under the Islamic rule of law, there is no immunity. Every citizen, the leader and the led, can be questioned or dragged to court and they must go there and defend themselves.
“It happened with Ali ibn Abi Talib even as the Khalifa of Muslimun. He was dragged to court. Umar ibn Khatab was also dragged to court. So, the rule of law is key. And when it comes to the rule of law, there must be equality before that law.”
A former director (public affairs) at the Voice of Nigeria (VON), Alhaji AbdusSalam Adegboyega AbdurRazaq, who also delivered a lecture titled ‘Political and Economic Stability: An Insight from Islamic History’, said a leader must fulfill his promises to the people and must practise what he preaches.
According to him, leaders should not ask people to make sacrifices while they live in opulence and enjoy to the detriment of the people.
AbdurRazaq said Muslim leaders in the era of Prophet Muhammad showed exemplary leadership by serving the people and fulfilling their promises.
“They believed in Allah and walked their talk. They brought about trust in leadership and respect for their persons. Rumour was easy to eliminate and leaders walked freely among the people. There was willingness to sacrifice for the Ummah,” he said.
The national amir (leader) of TMC, Alhaji AbdulWasiu Bangbala, called on leaders to place premium on the welfare of the citizens at all times.
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