President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has finally signed the instruments of clemency and pardon for selected inmates across the country — but not without bowing to mounting public pressure to exclude those convicted of serious crimes such as kidnapping, drug trafficking, and human trafficking.
In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, on Wednesday, the President confirmed he had completed the process of formally exercising his constitutional powers of prerogative of mercy as enshrined in Section 175(1) & (2) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
According to the statement, the decision followed “extensive consultations with the Council of State and public opinion” after widespread criticism of an earlier list that had included persons convicted of grave offences.
“The President directed a further review of the initially approved list for consideration in furtherance of his discretionary powers under the Constitution,” the statement read.
Serious Offenders Dropped from List
As part of the review, individuals convicted of kidnapping, drug-related crimes, human trafficking, fraud, and unlawful possession or dealing in firearms were deleted from the list of beneficiaries. Some others, previously marked for pardon, had their sentences commuted instead.
Onanuga explained that the decision to prune the list was informed by “the seriousness and security implications of some of the offences, the need to be sensitive to the feelings of victims and the society, and the necessity of maintaining public confidence in law enforcement.”
He added that the President’s move was also guided by “the concept of justice as a three-way traffic for the accused, the victim, and the state.”
New Oversight for Mercy Process
In a major administrative shift, President Tinubu has relocated the Secretariat of the Presidential Advisory Committee on Prerogative of Mercy from the Federal Ministry of Special Duties to the Federal Ministry of Justice.
This, according to him, will ensure that future clemency exercises “meet public expectations and align with global best practices.”
The President also directed the Attorney-General of the Federation to issue new Guidelines for the Exercise of the Power of Prerogative of Mercy, mandating compulsory consultation with relevant prosecuting agencies before any future releases.
“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,” the statement said.
Public Engagement Acknowledged
President Tinubu appreciated what he described as “constructive feedback and engagement from stakeholders and the general public” over the controversy surrounding the clemency list.
He further reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to judicial reforms and improving the administration of justice in Nigeria.
The approved list of eligible beneficiaries has already been transmitted to the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) for implementation in line with the duly signed instruments of release.
Reporter’s Note:
The President’s decision comes after weeks of criticism from civil society groups and victims’ advocates, who argued that pardoning serious offenders would undermine national security and the rule of law. The exclusion of such individuals from the final list marks a significant concession to public sentiment.
