Falana Urges Review of Tinubu’s Pardon List, Cites Justice and National Morality

Human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana, has called on the Federal Government to immediately withdraw and review the list of persons recently granted presidential pardon by President Bola Tinubu, citing the “interest of justice and national morality.”

In a press release issued on Thursday evening, Falana noted that while the Constitution empowers the President to grant pardons, reprieves, and commutations of sentences to persons convicted of federal offences, some individuals on the list reportedly include politically exposed persons, drug barons, armed robbers, terrorists, and others convicted of state offences such as culpable homicide and obtaining by false pretences.

“The federal government should withdraw and review the list of pardonees without any delay in the interest of justice and national morality,” Falana said.

“In particular, the Prerogative of Mercy Committee should recommend to state governors to consider granting pardon to persons who were convicted of state offences in accordance with Section 212 of the Nigerian Constitution,” he added.

The senior lawyer acknowledged that the President acted under Section 175 of the 1999 Constitution, but emphasised that those convicted under state laws fall within the jurisdiction of state governors, not the federal government.

Falana’s statement follows President Tinubu’s recent approval of clemency for 175 persons convicted for various offences, based on the recommendation of the Prerogative of Mercy Committee, chaired by the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN).

Meanwhile, the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) clarified that no inmate approved for clemency under the exercise has yet been released from custody.

In a separate statement on Thursday, AGF Fagbemi said the process was still at the final administrative stage, which involves verifying all names to ensure full compliance with legal and procedural requirements.

“It is important to note that 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,” the AGF stated.

“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 review and verification process reflect the government’s commitment to transparency and due diligence in implementing the presidential clemency programme.