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Relocates Presidential Advisory Committee on Prerogative of Mercy
- Safiu Kehinde
President Bola Tinubu has finally bowed to pressure as he removed the name of Maryam Sanda, who was sentenced to death over murder of her husband, Biliyaminu Bello, and others convicted of various crimes from the list of Presidential pardon.
The President’s decision is coming weeks after backlash over his pardon and grant of clemency to Sanda and convicts of severe crimes, including kidnapping, drug offenses, human trafficking, fraud, and illegal firearms possession or trafficking.
Tinubu, in a review of the list, ordered the removal of the names while also reducing the sentence of some convicts who were initially pardoned.
As contained in a statement issued on Wednesday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the President had in the wake of the backlash consulted the Council of State and public opinion on the matter before directing a further review of the initially approved list.
According to Onanuga, Tinubu’s review became necessary in view of the seriousness and security implications of some of the offences.
This included 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 approved list of eligible beneficiaries has been transmitted to the Nigerian Correctional Service for implementation in line with the duly signed instruments of release.
As contained the reviewed list, the initially pardoned death row convicts whose sentence are now commuted to life imprisonment include, Emmanuel Baba, Abubakar Usman, Khalifa Umar, and Mohammed Umar.
Also, the list of convicts granted clemency as approved by the President include, Oroka Chibueze, Adesanya Paul, Daniel Bodunwa, Hamza Abubakar, Buhari Sani, and 10 others.
In the same vein, Tinubu 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 also directed the Attorney-General of the Federation to issue appropriate Guidelines for the Exercise of the Power of Prerogative of Mercy, which includes compulsory consultation with relevant prosecuting agencies.
This, according to the statement, will ensure that only persons who fully meet the stipulated legal and procedural requirements will henceforth benefit from the issuance of instruments of release.