News
FG to pardon convicts, unveils advisory committee
By Francesca Hangeior
The Federal Government is set to grant presidential pardons to convicts serving various jail terms across custodial centres in the country.
To initiate the process, the government on Wednesday inaugurated the Presidential Advisory Committee on the Prerogative of Mercy, with the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), as Chairman.
The committee includes representatives from the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigerian Correctional Service, the National Human Rights Commission, the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, and the Christian Association of Nigeria, alongside other notable members such as Justice Augustine Utsaha, Prof. Alkasum Abba, Chief Akinlolu Olujinmi (CON, SAN), and Prof. (Mrs.) Nike Ijaiya.
Speaking during the inauguration, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, said Section 175 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) confers special powers of prerogative of mercy on the President.
He added that the Committee has a four-year tenure, and its membership is drawn from relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies, as well as representatives of religious bodies and four eminent Nigerians.
Akume said, “Section 175 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) confers special powers of prerogative of mercy on the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. This power enables the resident to grant pardon to any person convicted of an offence created by an Act of the National Assembly.
“In consequence of this Constitutional power, a Presidential Advisory Committee on Prerogative of Mercy is to be constituted as an administrative body with the mandate to provide and facilitate a seamless and smooth exercise of the power by the President. The Committee has a four-year tenure, and its membership is drawn from relevant line Ministries, Departments and Agencies as well as representatives of religious bodies, and four (4) eminent Nigerians.”
Speaking on behalf of the committee members, the AGF said his office had received an overwhelming number of requests for a presidential pardon.
He said, “Already, my Office has been inundated with applications for presidential pardon and clemency. We are to look into these applications and advise on their merits as appropriate. We assure Nigerians that we will carry out our assignment objectively in the public interest and the interest of justice. ”
Fagbemi noted that the committee’s assignments were not to undermine the decision of the courts but to carry out the duty the constitution mandates the president.
He said, ” We must also state that our assignment is in no way a review of the decisions of the courts but a discharge of a mandate imposed on Mr. President by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“After our assignment, the Committee would be required to present its Report and actionable recommendations for onward transmission to Mr. President for consideration and further directives.”
Fagbemi said in carrying out their assignment, the Committee members might need to visit Correctional facilities across the six geopolitical zones before making their recommendations.
He said, “The committee might be required to visit Correctional Facilities in various States of the Federation, cutting across the six Geo-political Zones of the country, beginning from where the last exercise ended, to critically appraise and identify potential cases of convicts and ex-convicts towards recommending them for Presidential Pardon or Clemency as appropriate.”
The last presidential pardon was granted under former President Muhammadu Buhari in 2022, with a total of 159 convicts receiving clemency.
Among those pardoned were Joshua Dariye and Jolly Nyame, a development that generated a lot of controversy.
Dariye, who served as Plateau State governor from 1999 to 2007, was sentenced to 14 years in prison for embezzling N1.16 billion. Similarly, Nyame, the governor of Taraba State from 1999 to 2007, received a 12-year sentence for misappropriating N1.6 billion.
The former Governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai was on Thursday arraigned before the Federal High Court in Abuja by the Department of State Services (DSS) over allegations bordering on unlawful interception of communications and threats to national security.
El-Rufai, who appeared before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, denied all five counts contained in the amended charge filed against him by the prosecution. The case was brought by counsel to the DSS, Oluwole Aladedoye (SAN), who informed the court that the earlier three-count charge had been replaced with an expanded five-count amended charge dated April 13.
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According to the prosecution, the amended charges include allegations that the former governor unlawfully intercepted communications linked to the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, without proper authorisation. He was also accused of engaging in activities involving technical systems that allegedly posed risks to public safety and national security.
El-Rufai, however, maintained his not-guilty plea when the charges were read in court.
At the proceedings, his counsel, Oluwole Iyamu (SAN), confirmed receipt of the amended charge and did not oppose its substitution for the earlier filing. The court subsequently struck out the initial three-count charge and proceeded with the new counts.
A key point of contention arose when the prosecution requested that the identities of two witnesses be protected through the use of pseudonyms, citing security concerns. The defence strongly objected, arguing that such a move would undermine the defendant’s constitutional right to fair hearing and to know his accusers.
The defence also challenged the prosecution’s request for consecutive hearing dates, stating that it could limit adequate access to legal representation, especially given El-Rufai’s ongoing custody under the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission.
Additionally, the defence informed the court of a pending bail application, noting that an earlier missing affidavit had been recovered and submitted. While the prosecution did not oppose the bail request, it urged the court to dismiss a separate application filed by the defence seeking to quash the amended charge, describing it as lacking merit.
The defence further asked the court to compel the prosecution to disclose its proof of evidence to enable proper preparation for trial, but the request was also opposed.
After listening to submissions from both sides, Justice Abdulmalik adjourned the matter to May 18, 19, and 20 for hearing.
President Bola Tinubu has formally written to the Senate, seeking approval for a $516.3 million foreign syndicated loan to support the construction of the Sokoto–Badagry highway.
In a communication read by the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, on Thursday, President Tinubu requested a resolution in line with Sections 16 and 21 of the Debt Management Office (Establishment) Act, 2011, to enable the Federal Government to secure the financing for Sections 1, Phase 1A, and 1B of the project. The loan facility is to be arranged through Deutsche Bank AG.
President Tinubu explained that the superhighway project is a flagship initiative under his administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda, designed to enhance national connectivity, reduce travel time, and improve the movement of goods across key economic corridors.
The proposed 1,000-kilometre road will link Sokoto, Kebbi, Niger, Kwara, Oyo, Ogun, and Lagos states, connecting Illela to Badagry.
He noted that the financing arrangement will be backed by a partial risk guarantee from the Islamic Corporation for the Insurance of Investment and Export Credit (ICIEC), while the Federal Government will provide counterpart funding of over 265 billion naira for land acquisition, compensation, and related infrastructure.
According to the president, the loan is structured for nine years, including a three-year grace period, with an interest rate pegged at the Chicago Mercantile Exchange SOFR plus 5.3 per cent per annum. The Federal Executive Council has already approved the financing plan.
Following the presentation of the request at plenary, Akpabio referred the matter to the Senate Committee on Local and Foreign Debts, directing it to report back within one week.
Endorsing the move, the Senate President said that it is better to borrow for projects to improve road safety and foster national integration.
Chairman of the Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT), FCT chapter, Comrade Abdullahi Shafa, speaking after the meeting of the union leaders with the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, today.
He hailed the FCT minister for his quick intervention.
Watch:
Angry El-Rufai Protests Move To Shield Witnesses In NSA Phone-Tapping Case
Tinubu wants Senate’s approval of $516m fresh loan for Sokoto–Badagry Highway
FCT Teachers Strike: NUT Hails Wike Over Intervention In Education Sector(Video)
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