…some persons earlier recommended withdrawn
By Vivian Okejeme Abuja
The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi(SAN), has announced the conclusion of the Presidential Prerogative of Mercy exercise.
The AGF, also announced the President has issued the instruments of granting pardon, clemency, and reduced sentences.
The minister, in a statement he released Wednesday, said the exercise was to ensure that only persons who met stipulated legal and procedural requirements would benefit from the prerogative of mercy.
According to the statement, during the final review, few persons earlier recommended were found not to have met the necessary requirements and were accordingly delisted, while in some other cases, sentences were reviewed and reduced to reflect fairness, justice, and the spirit of the exercise.
Fagbemi explained that the exercise underscores the President’s desire to balance justice with compassion and the belief that justice must not only punish, but also reform and redeem.
The statement reads in part:
“The review was undertaken with meticulous commitment to due process to reinforce the administration’s broader commitment to justice reform and humane correctional practices in line with international standards.
“To ensure that future exercises meet public expectations and best practices, the President has directed the immediate relocation of the Secretariat of the Presidential Advisory Committee on Prerogative of Mercy from the Federal Ministry of Special Duties to the Federal Ministry of Justice
“The President has further 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.
“I commend the public for their patience and constructive engagement throughout the process, and assure Nigerians that the government remains steadfast in promoting a justice system that upholds human dignity while safeguarding national security and social order.”
Recall that President Tinubu had granted prerogative of mercy to 175 convicts and former convicts on October 9, including Maj.-Gen. Mamman Vatsa, Major Akubo, Prof. Magaji Garba, and capital offenders such as Maryam Sanda and the Ogoni Eight, including Ken Saro Wiwa.
Following consultations with the Council of State, the President received concerns on the recommended list and consequently initiated a due process review.
