President Bola Tinubu has exercised his constitutional powers of prerogative of mercy, signing instruments of clemency and pardon for selected individuals previously convicted of various offences across Nigeria.
The development was announced in a statement issued on Wednesday by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
According to the statement, the review was guided by security considerations, public interest, and the need to uphold justice for victims while maintaining the morale of law enforcement agencies.
He subsequently ordered a review of the initially approved list of beneficiaries to ensure that only deserving individuals benefit from the gesture, in line with Section 175(1) and (2) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
Following the review, individuals convicted of grave offences such as kidnapping, drug trafficking, human trafficking, fraud, and illegal possession of firearms were removed from the list.
It added that others, previously granted full pardon, had their sentences commuted instead, while adding that the approved list of eligible beneficiaries had been forwarded to the Nigerian Correctional Service for implementation in line with the signed instruments of release.
In a related directive, President Tinubu ordered 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 move, he said, was to enhance transparency and ensure that future clemency exercises align with public expectations and global best practices.
He also instructed the Attorney-General of the Federation to issue clear guidelines for the exercise of the prerogative of mercy, including mandatory consultations with relevant prosecuting agencies before any release is approved.
"President Tinubu also 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.
"The President appreciated the constructive feedback and engagement from stakeholders and the general public on this matter. President Tinubu also reaffirmed his administration’s broader commitment to judicial reforms and improving the administration of justice in Nigeria," the statement read.
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