The Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), has clarified that the recently reported presidential pardon and sentence reduction list released by the Presidency is still under review and has not yet been finalized.
Fagbemi made the clarification in Abuja on Wednesday following public reactions to media reports that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had already approved pardons and commutations for over 170 inmates, including high-profile figures such as former lawmakers and military officers.
In a statement issued through his media aide, the AGF noted that while recommendations from the Presidential Advisory Committee on the Prerogative of Mercy (PACPM) have indeed been presented to the President, the process is ongoing and subject to further legal vetting.
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“The public is advised to disregard any premature claims suggesting that the President has granted full and final approval for the release or commutation of sentences for specific individuals,” the statement read. “The list remains under consideration in line with established legal and administrative procedures.”
He explained that the Prerogative of Mercy process involves multiple levels of review, including legal scrutiny, national security assessments, and consultations with correctional authorities.
Fagbemi further stated that once the President gives final approval, the official list will be published by the Ministry of Justice in collaboration with the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) for public transparency.
This clarification follows viral social media reports and speculative commentary suggesting that the Federal Government had already pardoned former public officials convicted of corruption and other financial crimes.
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Civil society organizations and anti-corruption advocates had expressed concern, warning that any unverified pardon could undermine public confidence in Nigeria’s anti-graft efforts.
Reacting to the AGF’s clarification, a senior official within the Federal Ministry of Justice who spoke anonymously said, “There is a process, and it has not been completed. The President will only act when all due diligence has been done and all relevant agencies have given their input.”
The Prerogative of Mercy is a constitutional power vested in the President under Section 175 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), allowing him to pardon, commute, or remit sentences after due recommendation by the advisory committee.
In previous administrations, the process has often generated public debate especially when politically exposed persons or controversial figures were included in pardon lists.
Legal analysts note that the latest clarification by the AGF may have been aimed at cooling tensions and ensuring that the process is handled transparently to avoid public distrust.
As of press time, the Presidency has not issued any direct statement beyond confirming that the list is still “under review,” emphasizing that final approval will reflect a balance between justice, mercy, and national interest.
