The Federal Government has released the final list for the Presidential Prerogative of Mercy exercise.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that President Bola Tinubu earlier issued the instruments granting pardon, clemency, and reduced sentences to some offenders.
Mr Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, the Minister of Justice disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday in Abuja.
NAN reports that following consultations with the Council of State, the President received concerns on the recommended list and consequently initiated a due process review.
Fagbemi said that the exercise has been completed and approved by the president.
“This exercise is to ensure that only persons who met stipulated legal and procedural requirements would benefit from the prerogative of mercy.
“During this final review, few persons earlier recommended were found not to have met the necessary requirements and were accordingly delisted.
“While in some other cases, sentences were reviewed and reduced to reflect fairness, justice, and the spirit of the exercise.
“This exercise underscores the President’s desire to balance justice with compassion and the belief that justice must not only punish, but also reform and redeem,’’ he added.
He said that the review was undertaken with meticulous commitment to due process to reinforce the administration’s broader commitment to justice reform and humane correctional practices in line with international standards.
“To ensure that future exercises meet public expectations and best practices, the president 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 Ministry of Justice
“The president has further directed the Attorney-General 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’’.
Fagbemi commended the public for their patience and constructive engagement throughout the process.
He assured Nigerians of the government’s steadfast in promoting a justice system that upholds human dignity while safeguarding national security and social order.
The final beneficiaries are Commutations of death sentence to life imprisonment are Oroka Michael Chibueze, Adesanya Olufemi Paul, Daniel Bodunwa, Hamza Abubakar, Buhari Sani, Mohammed Musa, Muharazu Abubakar, Ibrahim Yusuf and Saad Ahmed Madaki.
Others are Ex-Corporal Michael Bawa, Richard Ayuba, Adam Abubakar, Emmanuel Yusuf, Chinedu Stanley, Johnny Ntheru Udor, Emmanuel Baba, Abubakar Usman, Khalifa Umar and Mohammed Umar
Those granted Pardon are Mrs Anastasia Daniel Nwaobia, Hussaini Alhaji Umar, Ayinla Saadu Alanamu, Farouk M. Lawan, Herbert Macaulay, Major General Mamman Jiya Vatsa, Ken Saro Wiwa, Saturday Dobee and Nordu Eawo.
Others are Daniel Gbooko, Paul Levera, Felix Nuale, Baribor Bera, Barinem Kiobel and John Kpuine.
Those under reduced terms of imprisonment and sentence are Yusuf Owolabi, Ifeanyi Eze, Ibrahim Sulaiman, Patrick Mensah, Obi Edwin Chukwu, Tunde Balogun, Lima Pereira, Erick Diego and Uchegbu Emeka Michael.
Others are Salawu Adebayo, Napolo Osariemen, Odeyemi Omolara, Dias Santos, Marela Christiana, Alhaji Ibrahim Hameed, Isaac Justina, Aishat Kehinde, Helen Solomon, Okoye Tochukwu, Ugwueze Paul, Mustapha Ahmed and Abubakar Mamman.
Also on the list are Muhammed Musa, Nnamdi Anene, Alhaji Abubakar Tanko, Innocent Brown Idiong, Iniobong Nuikidem, Ada Audu, Buka Adamu, Chukwukelu Calistus, Markus Yusuf, Samson Ajayi, Rakiya Beida.
Others are Jonathan Alatoru, Umanah Ekaette Umanah, Utom Obong, Thompson Udoaka, Jude Saka Ebaragha, Frank InsortAbaka, Sluna Alolo, David Akinseye, Ahmed Toyin, Shobajo Saheed, Adamole Philip and Mathew Masi, Bright Agbedeyi, Babangida Saliu, Adamu Sanni, Abdulkareem Salisu and Abdulaziz Lawal.
Also on the list are Abdulrahma Babangida, Muharazu Alidu, Zaharadeen Baliue, Babangida Usman, Zayyanu Abdullahi, Bashir Garuba, Imam Suleman, Abbeb Amisu, Lawani Lurwanu, Yusuf Alhassan, Abdullahi Isah, Zayanu Bello, Habeeb Suleman and Jubria Sahabi.
Others Shefiu Umar, Seidu Abubakar, Haruna Abubakar, Rabiu Seidu, Macha Kuru, Zahradeen Aminu, Nazipi Musa, Abdullahi Musa and Habibu Safiu.
Earlier, President Tinubu has ordered the review and exclusion of persons convicted of kidnapping, drug trafficking, human trafficking and illegal arms possession from the federal pardon list.
Presidential Spokesperson, Mr Bayo Onanuga, disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday in Abuja.
He said the decision followed consultations with the Council of State and consideration of public opinion on the matter.
“Following consultations with the Council of State and public opinion, the President directed a further review of the initially approved list in line with his powers under Section 175(1) and (2) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).”
“Consequently, certain persons convicted of serious crimes such as kidnapping, drug-related offences, human trafficking, fraud, and unlawful possession of firearms were deleted from the list.”
“Others who had earlier been pardoned had their sentences commuted.”
Tinubu said the action became necessary in view of the gravity of the offences and the need to remain sensitive to victims and society at large.
He added that the move would strengthen law enforcement morale and Nigeria’s compliance with bilateral obligations.
”The concept of justice as a three-way traffic for the accused, the victim, and the state also guided the review,” he said.
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.
Onanuga said the President also directed the relocation of the Secretariat of the Presidential Advisory Committee on Prerogative of Mercy from the Ministry of Special Duties to the Ministry of Justice.
Tinubu further instructed the Attorney-General of the Federation to issue new guidelines for exercising the prerogative of mercy, including mandatory consultation with relevant prosecuting agencies.
He said the measure would ensure that only qualified persons benefit from future pardon exercises.
The President appreciated the constructive feedback from stakeholders and reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to judicial reforms and improved justice delivery.
