Review presidential pardon list – Falana tells Federal Government

Human rights lawyer Femi Falana has urged the Federal Government to withdraw and review the list of individuals recently granted presidential pardon by President Bola Tinubu.

In a statement issued on Thursday evening, Falana said the move was necessary in the interest of justice and national morality.

“Following the recommendation of the Prerogative of Mercy Committee headed by the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Lateef Fagbemi SAN, President Bola Tinubu recently granted pardon to 175 persons convicted for various offences.

“It is indisputable that the President is empowered by virtue of section 175 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, to exercise the grant of pardons, reprieves, and commutations of sentences to persons convicted of any offence created by an Act of the National Assembly.

“The list of pardonees includes convicted politically exposed persons, drug addicts and barons, armed robbers, and terrorists, as well as persons convicted for contravening state offences like culpable homicide, murder, and obtaining by false pretences,” the statement read.

He advised that the Prerogative of Mercy Committee should recommend to state governors to consider those convicted of state offences in line with Section 212 of the Nigerian Constitution.