…as fed govt sets deadline for advisory committee
The Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, has disclosed a significant surge in applications for presidential pardons and clemency received by his office.
Fagbemi made this revelation during the inauguration of the Presidential Advisory Committee on Prerogative of Mercy (PACPM) in Abuja, led by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume.
The committee, tasked with reviewing applications for clemency and recommending eligible individuals for presidential pardons, is a key initiative aimed at addressing prison overcrowding and fostering rehabilitation.
The AGF, who chairs the 15-member committee, clarified its constitutional mandate:
“Our assignment is not a review of court decisions but a constitutional responsibility to assist President Bola Tinubu in exercising his prerogative of mercy, as enshrined in Section 175 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).”
He further emphasized the importance of the committee’s role:
“Already, my office has been inundated with applications for presidential pardons and clemency. We assure Nigerians that this assignment will be carried out objectively, in the public interest, and in the interest of justice.”
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The PACPM, which will serve a four-year term, includes representatives from key institutions and organizations, such as the Nigeria Police Force, Nigerian Correctional Service, National Human Rights Commission, Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), and the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN).
Other members include Justice Augustine Utsaha, Prof. Alkasum Abba, Chief Akinlolu Olujinmi (SAN), Prof. (Mrs.) Nike Y. Sidikat Ijaiya, and the Director of Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Affairs, who serves as secretary.
Fagbemi outlined the constitutional provisions for presidential clemency, including the power to grant pardons, reduce punishments, or remit penalties.
He also detailed plans for committee members to visit correctional facilities nationwide, beginning from the last exercise’s endpoint, to identify deserving cases for clemency.
“Our core mandate is to assist the President in granting pardons and clemency to deserving convicts, which is crucial for decongesting our correctional facilities,” he stated.
The committee has been given a six-week deadline to complete its initial review of applications and present actionable recommendations to the President.
These recommendations will inform decisions on granting pardons and clemency, reinforcing the administration’s commitment to justice and rehabilitation.
The AGF expressed optimism about the committee’s work and commended the SGF for reconstituting the body.
He also lauded President Tinubu for approving the inauguration of the PACPM, describing it as a testament to the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
SGF George Akume highlighted the broader significance of the committee’s work during the inauguration, stating that it reflects the Federal Government’s dedication to promoting justice, rehabilitation, and societal reintegration for deserving individuals.