President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has signed instruments of clemency and pardon for selected individuals who were convicted of various offences, exercising his constitutional power of prerogative of mercy.
According to a statement released by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, the move followed consultations with the Council of State and careful consideration of public opinion.
President Tinubu, after reviewing the earlier approved list of beneficiaries, directed that individuals convicted of serious crimes such as kidnapping, drug trafficking, human trafficking, fraud, and illegal possession of firearms be excluded from the list. He, however, approved sentence commutation for others who had previously been granted pardon.
Onanuga explained that the review became necessary due to the gravity of some of the offences, the need to respect victims’ rights, maintain public confidence in justice, and uphold Nigeria’s security interests.
“The concept of justice as a three-way traffic for the accused, the victim, and the state guided the President’s decision,” the statement read.
The final approved list of beneficiaries has been sent to the Nigerian Correctional Service for implementation in line with the signed instruments of release.
In addition, President Tinubu directed that the Secretariat of the Presidential Advisory Committee on Prerogative of Mercy be moved from the Federal Ministry of Special Duties to the Federal Ministry of Justice.
He also instructed the Attorney-General of the Federation to develop new guidelines for the exercise of presidential clemency, including mandatory consultation with relevant prosecuting agencies before any pardon is granted.
The President appreciated the constructive feedback from the public and reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to judicial reforms and improving the administration of justice in Nigeria.
