Human rights lawyer Femi Falana (SAN) has called on the Federal Government to withdraw and review the list of individuals recently granted presidential pardon by President Bola Tinubu.
In a press release issued on Thursday evening, Falana said the review should be carried out in the interest of justice and national morality.
While acknowledging the constitutional powers of the president to grant pardons, reprieves, and commutations of sentences under Section 175 of the 1999 Constitution, the Senior Advocate expressed concern that the list of beneficiaries includes convicted politically exposed persons, drug addicts and barons, armed robbers, terrorists, and individuals found guilty of serious state offences such as culpable homicide, murder, and obtaining by false pretences.
Falana emphasized that the Prerogative of Mercy Committee should advise state governors to consider granting pardons to those convicted of state offences in line with Section 212 of the Constitution.
He stated, “Following the recommendation of the Prerogative of Mercy Committee headed by the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), President Bola Tinubu recently granted pardon to 175 persons convicted for various offences. It is indisputable that the President is empowered by virtue of Section 175 of the Constitution to exercise the power to grant pardons, reprieves, and commutations of sentences to persons convicted of any offence created by an Act of the National Assembly.
“The federal government should withdraw and review the list of pardonees without delay in the interest of justice and national morality. In particular, the Prerogative of Mercy Committee should recommend to state governors to consider granting pardon to those convicted of state offences in accordance with Section 212 of the Constitution.”
Meanwhile, the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice clarified that no inmate approved for clemency under the recent presidential exercise has been released.
The office explained that the process remains at the final administrative stage, which involves reviewing the list to ensure all names and recommendations comply with legal and procedural requirements before any release instrument is issued.
In a statement personally signed by Lateef Fagbemi (SAN) on Thursday, the Attorney-General noted, “The last stage of the exercise, after approval by the Council of State, is the issuance of the instrument for the implementation of the decision concerning each beneficiary. This stage affords an opportunity for a final look at the list for remedial purposes, if any, before the instrument is forwarded to the Controller-General of Corrections for necessary action.”
Fagbemi added that the verification process is part of the government’s commitment to transparency and due diligence.