The Federal Government has unveiled plans to grant presidential pardons to convicts serving sentences in correctional facilities across Nigeria.
To implement this initiative, the government inaugurated the Presidential Advisory Committee on the Prerogative of Mercy on Wednesday.
The committee, chaired by the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), includes representatives from key institutions such as the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigerian Correctional Service, the National Human Rights Commission, and religious organizations like the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs and the Christian Association of Nigeria. Other members include legal luminaries such as Justice Augustine Utsaha, Prof. Alkasum Abba, Chief Akinlolu Olujinmi (CON, SAN), and Prof. Nike Ijaiya.
During the inauguration, Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume, outlined the constitutional framework guiding the initiative. He referenced Section 175 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which empowers the President to grant pardons or clemency to individuals convicted under federal law.
“This power enables the President to grant pardon to any person convicted of an offence created by an Act of the National Assembly. The committee will ensure the seamless exercise of this constitutional power, with fairness and justice as its guiding principles,” Akume stated.
The committee’s tenure spans four years and includes visits to correctional facilities nationwide to identify eligible convicts for presidential pardon.
The Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, revealed that his office has already received numerous clemency applications. He assured Nigerians that the committee would objectively evaluate each application, prioritizing public interest and justice.
“Already, my office has been inundated with applications for presidential pardon and clemency. We will carefully assess these applications and advise on their merits,” Fagbemi said.
He emphasized that the committee’s work is not a review of judicial decisions but a constitutional mandate to recommend cases deserving clemency.
The committee will visit correctional facilities across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones to critically assess and identify eligible convicts and ex-convicts. After completing its evaluations, the committee will submit a detailed report and actionable recommendations to the President for consideration.
“The committee will begin its visits where the last exercise ended and identify potential cases for presidential pardon or clemency as appropriate,” Fagbemi noted.
The last presidential pardon exercise occurred in 2022 under former President Muhammadu Buhari, during which 159 individuals were granted clemency. Notable beneficiaries included former governors Joshua Dariye and Jolly Nyame, both convicted of embezzling public funds.
This latest initiative underscores the government’s commitment to justice and rehabilitation while balancing public interest and constitutional obligations.
