KEY POINTS
- FG inaugurates 15-member committee for the consideration of presidential pardon.
- Committee objectives are to increase justice, address overcrowding in correctional centers and reintegrate individuals.
- Members are drawn from the police force, offices of human rights commissions, and faith-based organizations.
The Federal Government of Nigeria has formed a 15 personnel presidential advisory committee on prerogative of mercy for purposes of justice, human rights as well as rehabilitation. This initiative has the support of President Bola Tinubu Renewed Hope Agenda.
Special Advisor, media in the OSGF, Segun Imohiosen announce this to the public in a statement made in Abuja recently.
Justice and rehabilitation
During the inaugural ceremony, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, spoke about the constitutional foundation of the activities of the committee.
He referred to Section 175 of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria which gives the President the power to grant pardon to people who have been convicted to offenses under the Acts of the National Assembly.
Furthermore, the honor of the power of mercy is an administrative organ that oversees the processes of the grant of prerogative of Mercy by the President, Says Akume.
Committee composition and tenure
According to the current social accounting and audit committee organizational structure of the organization, the researcher notes the following findings in relation to its composition and tenure:
Although the committee will last for four years, its membership is renewable and the head of the committee is the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice. Other members include representatives from key institutions:
– Nigeria Police Force
– Nigeria Prison Service
-National Human Rights Commission
-Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA)
-Christian Association of Nigeria [CAN]
– Moreover, Justice Augustine B. Utsaha
– Prof. Alkasum Abba
– Chief Akinlolu Olujinmi
-Prof. Nike Y. Sidikat Ijaiya
-Director of Special Duties and Inter Govemment al Affairs (Secretary)
Mandate and goals
The committee is required to assist in the dispensation of justice by identifying those prisoners and ex-convicts who should be considered for clemency by the president and which issue involves identifying correctional facility occupants who can be released back into society.
The Attorney-General and the Committee Chairman further affirmed this pledge in response to the President’s direction to locate deserving cases for both clemency and also reintegration.
