President Tinubu’s Clemency Move: The Criteria for Pardon Revealed by Acting Controller-General
The Acting Controller General of Corrections (CGC) for the Nigerian Correctional Service, Sylvester Nwakuche, has issued a formal request to all State Controllers of Corrections and FCT Commands, urging them to submit lists of qualified prisoners and inmates who are eligible for a presidential pardon.
Nwakuche, who assumed office on December 16, 2024, following the retirement of Haliru Nababa and his subsequent appointment by President Bola Tinubu, outlined the criteria for potential clemency in a memo dated January 17, 2025. The memo, which was exclusively obtained by SaharaReporters, carries the reference number NCoS 848/C. I/VOL. 1/288, and is titled “Re: Request For List Of Prisoners/Inmates Eligible For Presidential Pardon/Clemency Nation-Wide.”
In the memo, Nwakuche emphasized that factors such as old age, ill health, and the length of time spent in prison would be key determinants in considering inmates for pardon. The document explicitly mentions that only those convicted of federal offences or awaiting trial for such crimes are eligible for consideration, excluding deported foreign prisoners.
The criteria for eligibility, as outlined in the memo, include:
- Old Age: Prisoners who are 60 years and above.
- Ill-Health: Those suffering from conditions likely to result in death.
- Young Persons: Inmates aged 16 and below.
- Long-Term Convicts: Those who have served 10 years or more with good conduct.
- Long Awaiting Trial Prisoners: Individuals who have been in custody for 10 years or more without trial.
- Convicts with Short Time Left: Prisoners who have served 3 years or more and have less than 6 months to go.
- Awaiting Trial Persons (ATPs) for Minor Offenses: Those in custody for more than 3 years awaiting trial for minor offenses, and ATPs who have served more time than they would have if sentenced.
The memo stresses the urgency of the request, calling on the relevant authorities to act promptly in compiling the lists. If approved, the clemency process could see significant relief for numerous inmates across Nigeria, especially those facing dire health conditions or those who have spent years in detention without trial.
