The Council of State on Thursday approved the exercise of the presidential prerogative of mercy for 175 persons across various categories.
The decision was taken after the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), in his presentation conveyed President Bola Tinubu’s recommendations based on the report of the Advisory Committee on the Prerogative of Mercy.
The decision was taken at Thursday’s Council of State meeting at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
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Among those captured in the pardon were members of the Ogoni Nine and Ogoni Four.
The President also recently posthumously honoured the Ogoni Four as part of efforts to bring about peace and also resume oil production in the area.
Briefing State House correspondents after the meeting, Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani, explained that “82 inmates were granted full pardon, 65 had their sentences reduced, while seven death sentences were commuted to life imprisonment.
According to him, “out of the 175 beneficiaries, 82 inmates were granted a full presidential pardon, 65 had their sentences reduced, while seven death sentences were commuted to life imprisonment.
“The decision underscores the President’s commitment to justice and correctional reform.”
The meeting, chaired by President Tinubu, also ratified key appointments, including Dr. Aminu Yusuf from Niger State as Chairman of the National Population Commission and Tonge Bularafa as Federal Commissioner representing Yobe State in the Commission.
The Governor further said “there was a proposal based on the recommendation by Mr. President through the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, on the report by the adversary committee on prerogative of mercy to the Council of States for its approval.
“After the deliberation, the council approved unanimously for the different categories of the prerogative of mercy. The total is about 175. Of the total recommended for presidential clemency were about 82, those recommended for reduced sentence for their terms of imprisonment are 65 and those recommended for reduced sentences from death to life imprisonment are about seven in number.
“So the total number is 175 unanimously approved by the Council of State as recommended by Mr. President and presented to the council by the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation.”
