The Federal Government has stated that the recent Presidential Prerogative of Mercy initiative is still in its final administrative phase, dismissing claims that any of the pardoned convicts have been released.
This clarification comes after President Bola Tinubu, with the approval of the Council of State, granted clemency to Sir Herbert Macaulay and 174 others, including late activist Ken Saro-Wiwa, and Major General Mamman Vatsa, executed in 1986 for an alleged coup plot.
Also on the list is Maryam Sanda, who was sentenced to death in 2020 for the murder of her husband.
Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), explained in a statement on Thursday that the process is still being reviewed and verified before any official release can take place.
“The Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice wishes to clarify that no inmate approved for clemency under the recent exercise of the President’s power of prerogative of mercy has been released from custody.
“The process remains at the final administrative stage, which includes a standard review to ensure that all names and recommendations fully comply with established legal and procedural requirements before any instrument of release is issued,” the statement read.
According to the AGF, the government is taking extra care to ensure due process is followed and that all listed beneficiaries meet the necessary legal criteria before final approval.