Human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Femi Falana, has urged President Bola Tinubu to immediately review and withdraw the recent list of 175 convicts granted presidential pardon, describing its composition as unconstitutional and morally questionable.
Falana made the call following the announcement that the pardons were approved on the recommendation of the Prerogative of Mercy Committee, chaired by the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN).
According to him, while the President is constitutionally empowered under Section 175 of the 1999 Constitution to grant pardons, reprieves, and commutations for offences created by an Act of the National Assembly, the inclusion of offenders convicted of state crimes violates this provision.
‘The federal government should withdraw and review the list of pardonees without delay in the interest of justice and national morality,’ Falana said.
He further advised that the committee should recommend to state governors to grant pardon to those convicted of state offences, as provided under Section 212 of the Constitution.
The list reportedly includes politically exposed persons, drug offenders, armed robbers, terrorists, and individuals convicted of homicide and fraud-related offences.