President Tinubu amends clemency list after public outcry

President Bola Tinubu has ordered a review of the presidential clemency list, removing names of individuals convicted for serious crimes, including drug trafficking, kidnapping, and human trafficking. The Presidency released a fresh list, due to well meaning public opinions and the severity of the offenses.
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The power of Prerogative of Mercy, as outlined in Section 175 of the Nigerian Constitution, allows the President to grant pardon or clemency to convicted persons. Earlier this month Dawn Herald reported, the Presidency released an initial list of inmates recommended for clemency, which triggered public debates because it included individuals convicted of grave offenses such as murder and drug trafficking.
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Opposition politicians and civil society groups strongly criticized the initial list, arguing it undermined the criminal justice system and encouraged impunity.
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Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, formally stated that clemency for serious offenders weakened public faith in the criminal-justice system and emboldens criminality.
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‎Amid this controversy, the Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, confirmed that while the Presidential Advisory Committee on Prerogative of Mercy (PACPM) had recommended the convicts, none had been released, and the list was being subjected to further scrutiny.
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‎The President’s subsequent amendment reflects a direct response to this intense public and political pressure.
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‎To prevent future controversies, President Tinubu has initiated institutional reform of the clemency process. He directed the Secretariat of the Presidential Advisory Committee on the Prerogative of Mercy to relocate to the Federal Ministry of Justice. Additionally, new guidelines will be developed to ensure compulsory consultation with relevant prosecuting agencies, aiming for a more rigorous and publicly acceptable vetting process.