Last Thursday, President Muhammadu Buhari awarded a controversial pardon to 159 people, including two former state governors who were convicted and imprisoned for embezzling public funds.
The pardon was announced after it was accepted by the National Council of State on Thursday.
The two former governors on the list of pardoned felons, Joshua Dariye of Plateau State and Jolly Nyame of Taraba State, are currently serving 10- and 12-year prison sentences, respectively, after the Supreme Court affirmed their convictions and sentencing.
The former governors’ pardon has been widely criticized as hurting the anti-corruption campaign of an administration that campaigned on a promise to fight corruption.
Former criminals are now allowed to resume their normal lives, seek elected positions, and accept appointments as a result of the presidential amnesty. They’re also no longer referred to as ex-offenders.
The 159 people were pardoned after the 12-member Presidential Advisory Committee on Prerogative of Mercy recommended it (PACPM).
President Buhari established the PACPM in August 2018, and it is led by Abubakar Malami, the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice.
It was established to advise the president on giving pardon/clemency to meritorious detainees and ex-convicts in accordance with Nigerian constitution section 175 stipulations.
Committee members
Below are the names of the members of the committee that recommended the controversial pardon:
*Abubakar Malami (chairman) – Attorney-General of the Federation
*Jim-Jaja Ibiwari (Secretary to the committee) Director of Special Duties in the Ministry of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs is the Secretary of the Committee.
*Anthonia A. Ekpa – Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs
*Leticia Ayoola-Daniels – Representative of the Ministry of Justice,; and
*Raphael Ibinuhi – the representative of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCS).
*Shehu Gwarzo – a commissioner of police, representing the Nigeria Police Force
*Albert Uko – representing the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN)
*Professor Auwalu Yadudu – representing Jamaat Nasri Islam (JNI)
*Yetunde Haastrup of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC)
*Lady Obodoukwu – eminent Nigerian
*Lucy Ajayi – eminent Nigerian
*Joshua Mbu – eminent Nigerian
*B.A. Ogunbambi – eminent Nigerian
Malami stated that the committee used interviews, observations, consultation, and pertinent documents requested and received from each of Nigeria’s Correctional Centres in carrying out their mission.