President Bola Tinubu has approved the removal of individuals convicted of kidnapping, drug trafficking, human trafficking, fraud, and unlawful possession of firearms from the list of beneficiaries of the federal government’s prerogative of mercy.
In a statement released on Wednesday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu said his decision was the outcome of consultations with the Council of State and public opinion.
In the statement titled: “President Tinubu signs instrument of clemency and pardons, moves secretariat of prerogative of mercy committee to justice ministry,” the president formally exercised his constitutional powers of the prerogative of mercy to grant pardon and clemency to specific individuals previously convicted for various offences.
The statement noted that after a review of the initial list, Tinubu ordered that those convicted of serious crimes such as kidnapping, drug-related offences, human trafficking, fraud, and arms dealing be deleted from the list, while some others had their sentences commuted.
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It added that the review was guided by the concept of justice as a “three-way traffic for the accused, the victim, and the state/society.”
The approved list of eligible beneficiaries has since been forwarded to the Nigerian Correctional Service for implementation.
To ensure transparency in future exercises, Tinubu also ordered the relocation of the secretariat of the Presidential Advisory Committee on Prerogative of Mercy from the Ministry of Special Duties to the Federal Ministry of Justice.
Also, he further directed the Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, to issue new guidelines for the exercise of the prerogative of mercy, including mandatory consultation with relevant prosecuting agencies to ensure only deserving individuals benefit from future clemency.
Tinubu, in the statement, appreciated the feedback from the public and reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to judicial reforms and strengthening the justice system in Nigeria.
