President Bola Tinubu has bowed to public outrage over the presidential pardon given to 175 convicts some weeks ago.
In a new development, the list has been reduced to 86.
The new list include controversial Maryam Sanda and other hardened criminals.
Sanda was sentenced to death in 2020 for the killing of her husband, Bilyaminu Bello. She had already spent six years and eight months at the Suleja Medium Security Custodial Centre.
However, Sanda would only spend approximately six additional years in jail after getting an approved term on compassionate grounds as Tinubu revoked the pardon and reversed her sentence to 12 years.
According to the gazette, Sanda, who had already spent six years and eight months at the Suleja Medium Security Custodial Centre, will now spend approximately six additional years in jail after getting an approved term on compassionate grounds.
already spent six years and eight months at the Suleja Medium Security Custodial Centre, will now spend approximately six additional years in jail after getting an approved term on compassionate grounds.
The New Daily Prime reported that Nigerians had express shock Sanda’s pardon among others.
In a press statement by Tinubu’s aide, Bayo Onanuga, on Wednesday, titled “President Tinubu signs instrument of clemency and pardons, moves secretariat of prerogative of mercy committe to Justice Ministry,” Tinubu 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.
The statement added that “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).”
“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.”
It further stated that the 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.”
Onanuga, however, stated that approved list of eligible beneficiaries has been transmitted to the Nigerian Correctional Service for implementation in line with the duly signed instruments of release.
“Furthermore, to ensure that future exercises meet public expectations and best practices, the President has 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.”
He said Tinubu has also ordered the Attorney-General of the Federation to provide “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 media aide stated that Tinubu commended the constructive feedback and engagement from stakeholders and the general public on the matter and “also reaffirmed his administration’s broader commitment to judicial reforms and improving the administration of justice in Nigeria.”
See the newly updated listed below:
