President Bola Tinubu has granted the prerogative of mercy to 175 inmates across the country, as part of efforts to decongest correctional centres and promote restorative justice.
The decision followed the approval of the National Council of State, which met on Thursday under the President’s chairmanship at the State House, Abuja.
Justice Tempered with Mercy
Briefing journalists after the meeting, Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State said the approval reflects the administration’s commitment to tempering justice with mercy and giving deserving inmates a second chance at life.
According to him, the Council considered a report from the Advisory Committee on Prerogative of Mercy, presented by the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice.
“Out of the 175 beneficiaries,” Sani explained, “82 inmates were granted presidential pardon, 65 had their sentences reduced, while seven death sentences were commuted to life imprisonment.”
He, however, declined to disclose the identities of the beneficiaries.
The prerogative of mercy, provided for under Section 175 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), empowers the President to grant pardons, reprieves, or commute sentences based on recommendations from the advisory committee, taking into account factors such as age, ill health, good behaviour, or possible miscarriage of justice.
Major National Appointments
Governor Sani further announced that the Council approved the appointment of Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan (SAN) as Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and Dr. Aminu Yusuf as Chairman of the National Population Commission (NPC).
It also ratified the appointment of Alhaji Tonge Beta Bularafa as the Federal Commissioner representing Yobe State at the NPC.
Speaking on the appointments, Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State, who chairs the Progressive Governors’ Forum, described Amupitan as “a man of integrity, a serious-minded scholar, tested and trusted, who has never participated in partisan politics.”
959 Nigerians for National Honours
The Council also approved President Tinubu’s request to confer national honours on 959 Nigerians and friends of Nigeria, in recognition of their contributions to national development.
Dr. Emanso Umobong, Permanent Secretary, Cabinet Affairs Office, said the approval followed recommendations by the National Honours Award Committee, reconstituted in August 2024 under the chairmanship of His Royal Highness, Justice Mohammed Sidi Bage.
She explained that 824 recipients were selected from over 5,000 applications, while 135 individuals were recommended for special awards.
In a show of inclusivity, some awards will be posthumously conferred, including on members of the Ogoni Nine and Ogoni Four, honoured for their environmental activism and sacrifice.
Recent honourees also include Bill Gates, for his humanitarian work in Nigeria; Uncle Sam Amuka-Pemu, veteran journalist and publisher; and the Super Falcons and D’Tigress, for their achievements in international sports.
Police Reform Gets a Boost
Also speaking, Minister of Police Affairs, Ibrahim Gaidam, revealed that the Council approved the repeal and reenactment of the Nigerian Police Trust Fund Act 2025 to strengthen its operations and extend its lifespan beyond the initial six-year limit.
The new proposal also includes an increase in funding from 0.5 percent to 2 percent of the Federation Account, aimed at improving police training, equipment, welfare, and operational capacity.
Council Attendance
The virtual and physical meeting was attended by former Heads of State, including Generals Ibrahim Babangida and Abdulsalami Abubakar, former Chief Justices of Nigeria, the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, and several state governors.
The Council’s endorsement paves the way for the formal release or re-sentencing of the affected inmates in the coming weeks, marking another step in the Tinubu administration’s justice reform and governance agenda.
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