President Bola Tinubu has directed the removal of individuals convicted of serious offences, including fraud, kidnapping, drug trafficking, human trafficking, and unlawful possession of firearms, from the current list of beneficiaries under the Federal Government’s prerogative of mercy. Maryam Sanda’s pardon has been reversed to 12 years in prison.
Tinubu removed pardons for serious crimes as he signed the reviewed instrument of clemency and pardon.
This was contained in a statement signed by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, on Wednesday.
According to today’s statement, following consultations with the Council of State and public opinion on the matter, President Tinubu directed a further review of the initially approved list for consideration in furtherance of his discretionary powers under Section 175(1)(&(2) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
The statement reads in part: “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has executed the relevant instruments of release to complete the process of formally exercising his constitutional power of prerogative of mercy to grant pardon and clemency to specific individuals who were earlier convicted for various offences.
“Following consultations with the Council of State and public opinion on the matter, the President directed a further review of the initially approved list for consideration in furtherance of the President’s discretionary powers under Section 175(1) & (2) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
“Consequently, certain persons convicted of serious crimes such as kidnapping, drug-related offences, human trafficking, fraud, unlawful possession of firearms/arms dealing, etc, were deleted from the list. Others who had been hitherto pardoned in the old list had their sentences commuted.
“President Tinubu also directed the Attorney-General of the Federation to issue appropriate Guidelines for the Exercise of the Power of Prerogative of Mercy, which includes compulsory consultation with relevant prosecuting agencies. This will ensure that only persons who fully meet the stipulated legal and procedural requirements will henceforth benefit from the issuance of instruments of release.”
Recall that a few weeks ago, President Tinubu pardoned 15 former convicts (11 posthumously), granted clemency to 82 inmates, and commuted sentences for 65 others.
Totalling 175, these include high-profile cases, illegal miners, white-collar offenders, and those convicted of capital crimes; what the Presidency described as “the President’s commitment to justice, rehabilitation, and correcting historical wrongs.”
This action raised public outrage at some of the beneficiaries of the President’s clemency.
The approved list of eligible beneficiaries has been transmitted to the Nigerian Correctional Service for immediate implementation.
The relocation of the Prerogative of Mercy Secretariat from the Federal Ministry of Special Duties to the Justice Ministry is aimed at enhancing transparency, public confidence, and adherence to due process in future exercises.
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