President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, has formally executed the instruments of release completing the process of exercising his constitutional power of prerogative of mercy to grant pardon and clemency to selected individuals previously convicted of various offences.
The President’s action follows extensive consultations with the Council of State and a review of public opinion on the matter. Acting under the discretionary powers conferred on him by Section 175(1) and (2) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), President Tinubu directed a thorough review of the initially approved list of beneficiaries.
As a result, individuals convicted of serious offences such as kidnapping, drug trafficking, human trafficking, fraud, and unlawful possession of firearms or arms dealing were removed from the list. Others who had previously been granted full pardon in the earlier list had their sentences commuted instead.
According to the Presidency, the review became necessary due to the security implications of some of the offences, the need to respect the feelings of victims and society at large, and to strengthen the morale of law enforcement agencies.
The statement further emphasized that the decision aligns with the principle of justice as a three-way balance between the accused, the victim, and the state/society, while also ensuring Nigeria’s commitment to bilateral and international obligations
