President Bola Tinubu has ordered the removal of persons
convicted for kidnapping, drug trafficking, human trafficking, fraud, and
unlawful possession of firearms from the list of beneficiaries under the
federal government’s prerogative of mercy.
A statement on Wednesday by Bayo Onanuga, special adviser to
the president on information and strategy, said Tinubu took the decision
“following consultations with the Council of State and public opinion”.
“Following consultations with the Council of State and
public opinion on the matter, the President directed a further review of the
initially approved list for consideration in furtherance of the President’s
discretionary powers under Section 175(1)(&(2) of the 1999 Constitution (as
amended),” the statement reads.
“Consequently, 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. 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 approved list of eligible beneficiaries has been
transmitted to the Nigerian Correctional Service for implementation in line
with the duly signed instruments of release.“
BACKGROUND
On October 9, Tinubu granted presidential pardon and other
forms of clemency to 175 persons, following the approval of the council of
state.
Among the 175 beneficiaries are Herbert Macaulay, one of
Nigeria’s foremost nationalists; Farouk Lawan, a former member of the house of
representatives; and Mamman Vatsa, a major general and poet executed in 1986
over alleged treason.
Drug offenders, illegal miners, white-collar convicts, and
foreigners were also among recipients of the presidential pardon.
The list elicited mixed reactions, as some Nigerians argued
that some of the beneficiaries should not have been pardoned considering the
magnitude of the offence.
One such person granted clemency is Maryam Sanda, the woman
who was sentenced to death by hanging for stabbing Bilyamin Mohammed Bello, her
husband, to death.
Following the public outrage, Lateef Fagbemi,
attorney-general of the federation, said the pardon list would be reviewed and
that there are different stages involved in the process.
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