The Workplace of the Legal professional-Normal of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi SAN, has clarified that related authorities can have a ultimate evaluation of the checklist of unlawful miners, white-collar convicts, drug offenders, and different inmates granted presidential clemency not too long ago.
The clarification was issued on Thursday in a press launch by Prince Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, titled “Presidential Prerogative of Mercy Train at Evaluation Stage, Not Remaining – AGF Fagbemi.”
The event got here days after widespread blended reactions following the President’s energy of prerogative of mercy in regards to the beneficiaries.
Part 175 of the 1999 Structure provides the President the facility to point out mercy to any individual involved with or convicted of any offence created by an Act of the Nationwide Meeting, a pardon, both free or topic to lawful circumstances, amongst others.
No Inmate Has Been Launched from Custody
Based on the AGF, no inmate authorised for clemency “has been launched from custody.”
- He emphasised that the method stays on the ultimate administrative stage, which incorporates a regular evaluation to make sure that all names and proposals absolutely adjust to established authorized and procedural necessities earlier than any instrument of launch is issued.
“It is very important be aware that the final stage of the train, after approval by the Council of State, is the issuance of the instrument for the implementation of the choice regarding every beneficiary.
“This stage affords a chance for a ultimate have a look at the checklist for remedial functions, if any, earlier than the instrument is forwarded to the Controller-Normal of Corrections for vital motion,” he added.
- The AGF acknowledged the general public’s vigilance and constructive suggestions, assuring that the federal government will comply with the legislation to make sure that solely these duly certified profit from the President’s mercy.
Backstory
Recall that on October 12, 2025, Bayo Onanuga, Particular Adviser to the President (Info and Technique), launched particulars of about 175 convicts granted mercy by President Tinubu in keeping with related legal guidelines and devices.
A number of the beneficiaries had been convicted of economic fraud and unlawful mining.
“Unlawful miners, white-collar convicts, remorseful drug offenders, foreigners, Main Normal Mamman Vatsa, Main Akubo, Professor Magaji Garba, capital offenders equivalent to Maryam Sanda, Ken Saro Wiwa, and the opposite Ogoni Eight have been among the many 175 convicts and former convicts who obtained President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s mercy,” Onanuga said.
Based on the official, President Tinubu granted clemency to most of them based mostly on studies that the convicts had proven regret and good conduct.
- Some have been forgiven resulting from previous age, the acquisition of latest vocational abilities, or enrollment within the Nationwide Open College of Nigeria (NOUN).
- The Presidential Advisory Committee on the Prerogative of Mercy, chaired by the Legal professional-Normal and Justice Minister, Prince Lateef Olasunkanmi Fagbemi, advisable pardon for 2 inmates, 15 former convicts, 11 of whom have died.
- The committee additionally advisable clemency for 82 inmates and commutation of sentences for 65 inmates.
- Seven inmates on dying row additionally benefited from the Presidential reprieve, whereas the committee advisable that the President commute their dying sentences to life imprisonment.
Fagbemi had introduced the committee’s report on the Council of State assembly, chaired by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Whereas a number of stakeholders applauded the event, some argue that the clemency might ship mistaken alerts to legislation enforcement brokers.
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