Prerogative Of Mercy: Presidential Advisory Committee Visits Amawbia Prisons

The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice Mr.
Abubakar Malami says President Muhammadu Buhari is committed to
respecting human rights and entrenching rule of law in Nigeria.

Mr. Malami made this assertion when he led members of the Presidential
Advisory Committee on Prerogative of Mercy to the Nigeria Prisons
Service Amawbia, Anambra State.

Addressing newsmen shortly after the visit the Attorney General represented by the Permanent Secretary, Special Duties Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr. William Alo said the committee was inaugurated on the twenty eight of August 2018, to help President Buhari in the discharge of his responsibility of granting pardon to deserving convicts and ex-convicts as provided under Section one seven five of the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Mr. Malami said that the purpose of the twelve man committee is to primarily identify and subsequently recommend inmates who committed
federal offences and deserve presidential pardon, noting that the
committee is expected to be guided by rigorous criteria in ensuring that only deserving persons are considered for pardon.

Mr. Malami equally pointed out that the committee as provided under the constitution may also recommend a less severe form of punishment on a convict for an offence among other mitigating measures, adding
that pursuant to the recommendation of the committee, the President is
expected to grant pardon to deserving persons after due consultation with the National Council of States and disclosed that the reconstitution of the committee after three years of inactivity is part of initiatives of the Buhari administration aimed at decongesting
the Nigeria prisons and promoting criminal justice.

The Attorney General of the State and Commissioner for Justice Barrister Uju Nwogu who spoke on behalf of Governor Willie Obiano
appreciated the committee for the visit, even as she noted that what they are doing is in tandem with what the present administration in the state is doing, as Governor Obiano exercises his power of prerogative of mercy four times yearly and pledged the state governments total support to the exercise.

During the visit, inmates who were convicted on various federal
offences were interrogated and the committee promised to make honest
and sincere recommendations to Mr. President for onward action.