President Bola Tinubu has removed pardons for serious crimes as he signed the reviewed instrument of clemency and pardon.
The President executed the relevant instruments of release to complete the process of formally exercising his constitutional power of prerogative of mercy to grant pardon and clemency to specific individuals who were earlier convicted for various offences.
This was contained in a statement by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Mr Bayo Onanuga, on Wednesday.
Recall that a few weeks ago, President Tinubu pardoned 15 former convicts (11 posthumously), granted clemency to 82 inmates, and commuted sentences for 65 others.
Totalling 175, these include high-profile cases, illegal miners, white-collar offenders, and those convicted of capital crimes; what the Presidency described as “the President’s commitment to justice, rehabilitation, and correcting historical wrongs.”
This action spurred outrage at some of the beneficiaries of the President’s goodwill.
According to today’s statement, following consultations with the Council of State and public opinion on the matter, Mr Tinubu directed a further review of the initially approved list for consideration in furtherance of his discretionary powers under Section 175(1)(&(2) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
It revealed that following the review, certain persons convicted of serious crimes such as kidnapping, drug-related offences, human trafficking, fraud, unlawful possession of firearms/arms dealing, etc, were “deleted from the list”.
The statement further revealed that others who had been hitherto pardoned in the old list had their sentences “commuted”.
“This action became necessary in view of the seriousness and security implications of some of the offences, the need to be sensitive to the feelings of the victims of the crimes and society in general, the need to boost the morale of law enforcement agencies, and adherence to bilateral obligations.
“The concept of justice as a three-way traffic for the Accused, the Victim, and the State/Society also guided the review,” the statement partly read.
The presidency further stated that the approved list of eligible beneficiaries had been transmitted to the Nigerian Correctional Service for implementation in line with the duly signed instruments of release.
President Tinubu also directed 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.
This, he said, is to ensure that future exercises meet public expectations and best practices.
“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 added.