- Releasing some offenders could undermine the fight against corruption and organized crime
- The review process aims to ensure all names meet legal and procedural standards
- The government would only approve names that genuinely deserve mercy
The Federal Government may drop some names from the recently approved presidential pardon list following public outrage over the inclusion of certain controversial figures.
Eko Hot Blog gathered that sources revealed that security and anti-corruption agencies have raised objections, warning that releasing some offenders could undermine the fight against corruption and organized crime.
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The Attorney General of the Federation, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, confirmed on Thursday that the Presidential Prerogative of Mercy approved by the Council of State was still under review and had not been finalized. He assured Nigerians that no inmate granted clemency had been released.
Fagbemi said the review process aims to ensure all names meet legal and procedural standards before any formal release order is issued. He added that the verification is part of due diligence to protect the integrity of the justice system.
The Council of State had approved 175 names for pardon, including the late Maj Gen Mamman Vatsa, Ken Saro Wiwa, the Ogoni Eight, Prof Magaji Garba, and Maryam Sanda, who was convicted for killing her husband. The inclusion of some violent and high-profile offenders triggered widespread criticism.
Security agencies, including the EFCC, NDLEA, ICPC, and police, have reportedly insisted that some names were “smuggled” into the list without proper vetting. They advised that such individuals should not be released, especially those linked to murder, kidnapping, or drug trafficking.
Fagbemi urged the public to remain calm, saying the government would only approve names that genuinely deserve mercy. He described the ongoing review as a reflection of transparency and commitment to justice.
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