Lateef Fagbemi, the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, stated that the presidential pardon list is currently in the “final administrative stage,” which includes assessing the names and suggestions.
Following agreement from the council of state, President Bola Tinubu gave presidential pardons and other types of clemency to 175 last week.
Among the 175 recipients are Herbert Macaulay, one of Nigeria’s most prominent nationalists; Farouk Lawan, a former member of the House of Representatives; and Mamman Vatsa, a major general and poet murdered in 1986 for alleged treason.
Drug criminals, illegal miners, white-collar felons, and foreigners are among those granted the presidential pardon.
The presidential pardon list received conflicting reactions, with some Nigerians claiming that some of those on the list should not have been pardoned given the gravity of the conduct.
Maryam Sanda, a woman sentenced to death by hanging for stabbing her husband, Bilyamin Mohammed Bello, was one of those given clemency.
In a statement on Thursday, Fagbemi said none of the inmates who were granted clemency has been released, adding that there are stages involved in the process.
The AGF said at the final administrative stage, the names and recommendations in the list will be reviewed to ensure that they “fully comply with established legal and procedural requirements before any instrument of release is issued”.
“The Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation 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,” the statement reads.
“The process remains at the final administrative stage, which includes a standard review to ensure that all names and recommendations fully comply with established legal and procedural requirements before any instrument of release is issued.
“It is important to note that the last stage of the exercise, after approval by the Council of State, is the issuance of the instrument for the 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 the instrument is forwarded to the Controller-General of Corrections for necessary action.
“This verification process is part of the standard protocol and reflects the government’s commitment to transparency and due diligence.
“The Honourable Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice appreciates the public’s vigilance and constructive feedback, which continue to strengthen institutional integrity.
“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. As soon as all legal and procedural checks are concluded, the public will be duly informed. The rule of law does not rush; it ensures fairness.”
