The Federal Government is set to grant presidential pardons to convicts serving various jail terms across custodial centres in the country.
To initiate the process, the government on Wednesday inaugurated the Presidential Advisory Committee on the Prerogative of Mercy, with the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), as Chairman.
The committee includes representatives from the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigerian Correctional Service, the National Human Rights Commission, the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, and the Christian Association of Nigeria, alongside other notable members such as Justice Augustine Utsaha, Prof. Alkasum Abba, Chief Akinlolu Olujinmi (CON, SAN), and Prof. (Mrs.) Nike Ijaiya.
Speaking during the inauguration, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, said Section 175 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) confers special powers of prerogative of mercy on the President.
He added that the Committee has a four-year tenure, and its membership is drawn from relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies, as well as representatives of religious bodies and four eminent Nigerians.
Akume said, “Section 175 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) confers special powers of prerogative of mercy on the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. This power enables the resident to grant pardon to any person convicted of an offence created by an Act of the National Assembly.
“In consequence of this Constitutional power, a Presidential Advisory Committee on Prerogative of Mercy is to be constituted as an administrative body with the mandate to provide and facilitate a seamless and smooth exercise of the power by the President. The Committee has a four-year tenure, and its membership is drawn from relevant line Ministries, Departments and Agencies as well as representatives of religious bodies, and four (4) eminent Nigerians.”
(Punch)
