Amnesty International Nigeria and the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) have called on President Bola Tinubu to rescind his recent pardons for 175 individuals, including those convicted of drug trafficking, murder, corruption, and other serious crimes, warning that the move undermines justice and emboldens impunity.
On Saturday, Tinubu granted clemency and posthumous pardons to a diverse group, including Maryam Sanda, Ken Saro-Wiwa, Sir Herbert Macaulay, Major General Mamman Vatsa, Professor Magaji Garba, former Delta State Governor James Ibori, and others convicted of offenses ranging from illegal mining to financial crimes. The Presidency described the gesture, recommended by the Presidential Advisory Committee on the Prerogative of Mercy chaired by Attorney-General Lateef Fagbemi, as an act of “compassion, justice, and national healing.”
Amnesty International’s Concerns
Amnesty International Nigeria, in a statement by Director Isa Sanusi, expressed alarm over the pardons, particularly for those convicted of human rights abuses. Sanusi argued that the decision prioritizes perpetrators over victims, denying justice and reparations to those affected. “The pardons risk undermining the rule of law, preventing truth, accountability, and reparations for victims, while entrenching impunity,” he said.
The organization criticized the process as lacking transparency and urged Tinubu to reconsider the pardons to uphold victims’ rights and restore confidence in Nigeria’s justice system.
CISLAC’s Critique
CISLAC, led by Executive Director Auwal Ibrahim Musa (Rafsanjani), labeled the mass clemency “legally questionable, morally wrong, and damaging” to Nigeria’s reputation. The group highlighted controversial cases, such as Ibori’s conviction in the UK, arguing that pardoning individuals convicted abroad exceeds the president’s constitutional powers.
CISLAC warned that the decision could weaken international cooperation on anti-corruption and narcotics control, jeopardize asset recovery efforts, and demoralize agencies like the EFCC, ICPC, NDLEA, and police, who invested significant resources in prosecuting these cases. “It’s an insult to the justice system and a slap in the face of anti-corruption agencies,” the statement read.
The group also decried the prioritization of high-profile offenders while thousands of poor Nigerians languish in detention without trial. CISLAC called for a transparent review of the pardon process, focusing on inmates awaiting trial or convicted of non-violent offenses, to uphold justice and equity.
Broader Implications
Both organizations cautioned that the pardons could embolden organized crime and exacerbate insecurity by absolving serious offenders. They urged the government to prioritize victims’ rights, due process, and Nigeria’s international credibility to maintain public trust and global partnerships.
