The Federal Government has announced the conclusion of the Presidential Prerogative of Mercy exercise, following President Bola Tinubu’s approval and issuance of instruments granting pardon, clemency, and reduced sentences to qualified beneficiaries.
Below is the full text of the statement issued by the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), on the development.
Full Statement
The Office of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice wishes to announce the formal conclusion of the Presidential Prerogative of Mercy exercise with the President’s issuance of instruments granting pardon, clemency, and reduced sentences.
It is to be recalled that following consultations with the Council of State, the President received concerns on the recommended list and consequently initiated a due process review. This exercise has been completed and approved by the President. This process was to ensure that only persons who met stipulated legal and procedural requirements would benefit from the prerogative of mercy.
During this final review, a few persons earlier recommended were found not to have met the necessary requirements and were accordingly delisted, while in some other cases, sentences were reviewed and reduced to reflect fairness, justice, and the spirit of the exercise.
This exercise underscores the President’s desire to balance justice with compassion and the belief that justice must not only punish but also reform and redeem. The review was undertaken with meticulous commitment to due process to reinforce the administration’s broader commitment to justice reform and humane correctional practices in line with international standards.
To ensure that future exercises meet public expectations and best practices, the President has directed the immediate relocation of the Secretariat of the Presidential Advisory Committee on Prerogative of Mercy from the Federal Ministry of Special Duties to the Federal Ministry of Justice.
The President has further directed the Attorney General of the Federation to issue appropriate Guidelines for the Exercise of the Power of Prerogative of Mercy, which include compulsory consultation with relevant prosecuting agencies.
This will ensure that only persons who fully meet the stipulated legal and procedural requirements will henceforth benefit from the issuance of instruments of release.
I commend the public for their patience and constructive engagement throughout the process and assure Nigerians that the government remains steadfast in promoting a justice system that upholds human dignity while safeguarding national security and social order.
Prince Lateef Fagbemi (SAN)
Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice
October 29, 2025
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