The Council of State has approved the exercise of the presidential prerogative of mercy for 175 persons across several categories. The decision followed a presentation by the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), on Thursday, who conveyed President Bola Tinubu’s recommendations based on the report of the Advisory Committee on the Prerogative of Mercy, at Thursday’s Council of State meeting held at the State House, Abuja.
Even though the full names of the beneficiaries are yet to be published, reports have said that pardons were granted to one of Nigeria’s founding fathers, Herbert Macaulay and former FCT minister in the Babangida regime, Maj-Gen. Mamman Vatsa (retd).
With members of the Ogoni Nine and Ogoni Four also listed as beneficiaries, an insider who attended the meeting confirmed that Macaulay and Vatsa are the major names on the list.
“Herbert Macaulay and Vatsa are among the two major ones on that list,” the source said.
Recall that Macaulay, often called the “father of Nigerian nationalism,” was twice convicted by the colonial authorities in Lagos State.
Sentenced in 1913 for misappropriating funds from an estate he administered while in private practice as a surveyor, historians have not stopped debating the fairness of the prosecution.
Out of the 175 beneficiaries, 82 inmates were granted a full presidential pardon, 65 had their sentences lowered, while seven death sentences were reduced to life imprisonment.
Briefing State House correspondents after the meeting, Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna said, “82 of the inmates were granted full pardon, 65 had their sentences reduced, while seven death sentences were commuted to life imprisonment.
The decision underscores the President’s commitment to justice and correctional reform.”
The meeting, chaired by President Tinubu, also ratified key appointments, including Dr Aminu Yusuf from Niger State as Chairman of the National Population Commission and Tonge Bularafa as Federal Commissioner representing Yobe State in the Commission. Both appointments were approved unanimously.
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