The National Council of States on Thursday approved President Bola Tinubu’s request to grant the prerogative of mercy to 175 inmates nationwide, a move aimed at decongesting correctional facilities and promoting restorative justice.
Governor of Kaduna State, Senator Uba Sani, disclosed this while briefing journalists at the State House after the Council meeting. He said the decision reflects the administration’s commitment to tempering justice with mercy, ensuring deserving inmates are given a second chance to reintegrate into society.
According to Senator Sani, the Council considered a report from the Advisory Committee on Prerogative of Mercy, presented by the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, recommending various clemency measures. Of the 175 beneficiaries, 82 inmates received presidential pardons, 65 had their sentences reduced, and seven death sentences were commuted to life imprisonment. The names of the beneficiaries were not disclosed.
The presidential prerogative of mercy, enshrined in Section 175 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), empowers the President to grant pardons, reprieves, or commute sentences. The measure is typically exercised after careful consideration of factors such as age, ill health, good behaviour, or cases of miscarriage of justice.
Beyond clemency, the Council approved key national appointments, including Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan (SAN) as Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and Dr. Aminu Yusuf as Chairman of the National Population Commission (NPC), following President Tinubu’s recommendations. The Council also ratified the appointment of Alhaji Tonge Beta Bularafa as Federal Commissioner representing Yobe State at the NPC.
Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State, who chairs the Progressive Governors’ Forum, lauded the appointment of Amupitan, describing him as “a serious-minded scholar, a man of integrity, tested and trusted, who has never participated in partisan politics.” He said the appointment received unanimous endorsement.
Thursday’s Council meeting was attended virtually and physically by former Military President Ibrahim Babangida, former Head of State Abdulsalami Abubakar, former Chief Justices of Nigeria (CJNs), the President of the Senate Godswill Akpabio, Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas, Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) Senator George Akume, state governors, and other statutory members.
The Council’s endorsement is expected to pave the way for the formal release or re-sentencing of the affected inmates in the coming weeks.
In addition, the Council approved President Tinubu’s request to confer national honours on 959 eminent Nigerians. The Permanent Secretary of the Cabinet Affairs Office, Dr. Emanso Umobong, disclosed that 824 applications were successful while 125 special awards were recommended. Some awards, including posthumous recognition for the Ogoni nine, were also included.