The Federal Government has clarified that no inmate has been released under the recent Presidential Prerogative of Mercy exercise, insisting that the process is still undergoing final administrative review.
The clarification follows public outrage over reports that President Bola Tinubu had approved clemency for several convicts, including Maryam Sanda, who was sentenced to death in 2020 for killing her husband.
Others listed among the 174 beneficiaries include the late environmental activist Ken Saro-Wiwa, executed Major General Mamman Vatsa, and nationalist Sir Herbert Macaulay. The list also features other inmates whose sentences were commuted or reduced based on recommendations from the Presidential Advisory Committee on the Prerogative of Mercy and subsequent approval by the Council of State.
The announcement sparked widespread criticism, with former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar describing the clemency for individuals convicted of serious offences as a move that “weakens public faith in the justice system and emboldens criminality”.
Similarly, the National Publicity Secretary of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Bolaji Abdullahi, called it “a national disgrace” and an abuse of presidential power. Several human rights groups also condemned the reported releases.
However, in an issued statement yesterday, the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), clarified that the exercise remains at the verification stage and that no inmate has been released.
“The Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice wishes to clarify that no inmate approved for clemency under the recent exercise of the President’s power of prerogative of mercy has been released from custody”, Fagbemi said.
He explained that although the Council of State had approved the recommendations for clemency, the final administrative stage requires detailed scrutiny to ensure all names comply with established legal and procedural standards before the formal instruments of release are issued.
“It is important to note that the last stage of the exercise is the issuance of the instrument for implementation of the decision concerning each beneficiary. This stage affords an opportunity for a final look at the list for remedial purposes, if any, before it is forwarded to the Controller-General of Corrections for necessary action”, he added.
Fagbemi emphasized that the verification process is part of standard government protocol and demonstrates the administration’s commitment to transparency, due diligence, and the rule of law.
“There is no delay in the process; it is simply following the law to the letter to ensure that only those duly qualified benefit from the President’s mercy,” he said, adding that the public would be duly informed once all legal and procedural checks are concluded.
“The rule of law does not rush; it ensures fairness”, he added.
