President Bola Tinubu has granted pardon to 175 persons convicted for various offences.
This is following the Council of State approval of the exercise of the presidential prerogative of mercy.
At the meeting on Thursday, the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), made a presentation after which it received Council approval.
The meeting was presided over by President Tinubu.
Prominent among the beneficiaries are one of Nigeria’s founding fathers, Herbert Macaulay and former FCT minister in the Babangida regime, Maj-Gen. Mamman Vatsa (retd).
Members of the Ogoni Nine and Ogoni Four are also beneficiaries.
Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State, who briefed State House Correspondents confirmed the development.
“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," he disclosed.
The council also ratified the appointment of Aminu Yusuf from Niger State as Chairman of the National Population Commission.
While Tonge Bularafa was approved as Federal Commissioner representing Yobe State in the Commission.
NATIONAL POST recalls that earlier, the council also approved the nomination of Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan (SAN) as the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.
