The federal government, on Wednesday, inaugurated the Presidential Advisory Committee on Prerogative of Mercy (PACPM), headed by Lateef Fagbemi, minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation.
George Akume, secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), while inaugurating the 15-man Presidential Advisory Committee on Prerogative of Mercy (PACPM), described the move as “significant step towards promoting justice, rehabilitation, and human rights in Nigeria.”
He stated that the inauguration is in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.
The committee, which is saddled with the responsibility of recommending people for pardon to the President, among other functions, is in line with the provisions in Section 175 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).
The section confers special powers of prerogative of mercy on the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
This power enables the President to grant pardon to any person convicted of an offence created by an Act of the National Assembly.
The SGF explained that the Presidential Advisory Committee on Prerogative of Mercy is an administrative body with the mandate to provide and facilitate a seamless and smooth exercise of the power by the President.
BusinessDay gathered that membership of the committee were based on selections from several institutions of the federal government.
They include representatives of the Ministry of Justice as well as Attorney-General of the Federation who will serve as chairman.
Others are Permanent Secretary, Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Affairs; representatives of the Nigeria Police Force, Nigerian Correctional Service, National Human Right Commission, Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) and the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN).
Other members of the committee are: Augustine Utsaha, Alkasum Abba, Akinlolu Olujinmi and Nike Sidikat Ijaiya, including
director, Special Duties and Inter-governmental Affairs, who will serve as secretary of the committee.
According to the SGF, “PACPM within its four-year tenure will play a critical role in supporting the dispensation of justice in relation to the decongestion of correctional facilities, particularly in ensuring that eligible and deserving prisoners and ex-convicts are recommended for the consideration of the President.”
In his response, Fagbemi, attorney – general of the federation and minister of justice, who serves as the chairman, assured Mr. President that the “committee will deliver adequately in assisting him to discharge his constitutional responsibility of granting pardon and clemency to convicts or ex-convicts in deserving cases and reintegrating them into the society.”
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