President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has formally signed the Instrument of Clemency and Pardon, exercising his constitutional powers of prerogative of mercy to grant release and pardon to selected individuals previously convicted of various offences.
In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the Presidency explained that the decision followed consultations with the Council of State and consideration of public opinion.
President Tinubu, according to the statement, ordered a review of the initial list in line with his discretionary powers under Section 175(1) and (2) of the 1999 Constitution, as amended.
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After the review, individuals convicted of serious crimes — including kidnapping, drug-related offences, human trafficking, fraud, and illegal possession or dealing in firearms — were removed from the list.
The statement added that some persons earlier granted pardon had their sentences commuted instead, as part of the final recommendations approved by the President.
Details later…