The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) has strongly condemned President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s decision to grant presidential pardon to 175 individuals, including those convicted of drug trafficking, illegal mining, capital offences, and corruption.
In a statement signed by its Executive Director and Head of Transparency International (TI) Nigeria, Comrade Auwal Ibrahim Musa (Rafsanjani), CISLAC described the mass clemency as “legally questionable, morally wrong, and damaging to Nigeria’s image both locally and internationally.”
Among those reportedly pardoned are controversial figures such as former Delta State Governor James Ibori—convicted in the United Kingdom—as well as individuals involved in oil theft, kidnapping, and other transnational crimes. CISLAC argued that such individuals should not benefit from a presidential pardon, especially when some were not tried under Nigerian jurisdiction.
“You cannot pardon someone convicted by a foreign court when Nigerian jurisdiction wasn’t involved in the conviction. That is beyond the constitutional powers of the Nigerian president,” the statement said.
The organisation warned that the decision could undermine international legal cooperation, particularly in anti-corruption and narcotics control—areas where Nigeria depends heavily on foreign intelligence, technical assistance, and collaboration. It also cautioned that the move could weaken Nigeria’s ability to secure international mutual legal assistance on asset recovery.
“Pardoning individuals convicted for drug trafficking, financial crimes, and other serious offences sends the wrong signal to Nigeria’s international partners and undermines the credibility of our justice system,” CISLAC added.
The group expressed concern over the demoralising effect the decision could have on anti-corruption and law enforcement agencies, noting that these institutions invested significant resources in investigating and prosecuting the now-exonerated individuals.
“It’s an insult to the justice system and a slap in the face of the anti-corruption agencies who risked their lives to bring some of these people to justice. How do you motivate EFCC, ICPC, NDLEA, CCB or police officers to continue their work when their efforts are undone with a single signature?”
CISLAC also criticised the apparent disparity between the swift clemency granted to high-profile individuals and the continued neglect of thousands of poor Nigerians languishing in correctional facilities without trial, some for over a decade.
“You have people in prison for petty crimes or no trial at all for 10 to 20 years, yet the state extends mercy to individuals who have done real damage to the economy and the social fabric of the country,” it stated.
According to the government, the presidential pardon was granted based on good behaviour, acquisition of vocational skills, old age, and remorse. Some beneficiaries reportedly enrolled in the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), while seven inmates on death row had their sentences commuted to life imprisonment.
However, CISLAC maintained that forgiveness should not translate into exoneration—especially for those whose crimes caused significant harm to the nation and its citizens.
“Pardon implies that they never committed a crime, that they are no longer ex-convicts. That’s dangerous. These individuals can now sue if they’re labelled as ex-convicts. We are effectively rewriting history and absolving criminals of responsibility,” the statement noted.
The organisation further warned that the decision could embolden organised crime networks involved in oil theft, kidnapping, drug trafficking, and illegal mining, thereby worsening insecurity across the country.
“Some of these individuals may return to the same criminal networks they were part of. This action will only strengthen the culture of impunity,” CISLAC cautioned.
CISLAC called for a complete review of the presidential pardon process and urged the federal government to develop a more transparent framework that prioritises inmates awaiting trial and those convicted for non-violent offences.
“This is a serious lapse in judgment. Those who advised the president have done the country a disservice. National interest should come before political considerations.”
The organisation concluded by urging the federal government to reaffirm its commitment to justice, equity, and international cooperation, warning that continued disregard for due process would further erode Nigeria’s global reputation.
