The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) has strongly criticised President Bola Tinubu’s decision to grant presidential pardons to 175 individuals, including those convicted of corruption, drug trafficking, oil theft, and other serious crimes.
In a statement on Tuesday signed by its Executive Director and Head of Transparency International Nigeria, Auwal Rafsanjani, the organisation described the move as a “dangerous assault on justice” and a blow to Nigeria’s global reputation.
According to CISLAC, the mass pardon was “legally questionable, morally wrong, and damaging to Nigeria’s image both locally and internationally.”
The group particularly faulted the inclusion of individuals who were convicted abroad, arguing that such action exceeded the president’s constitutional powers.
“You cannot pardon someone convicted by a foreign court when Nigeria had no jurisdiction over the case. That is clearly beyond the constitutional powers of the Nigerian President,” Rafsanjani stated.
CISLAC also warned that the decision could damage Nigeria’s international partnerships, especially in anti-corruption and drug enforcement efforts, as the country relies heavily on cooperation, intelligence, and support from foreign allies.
“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,” the statement added.
The controversial pardons, which included the late nationalist Herbert Macaulay, the late Major General Mamman Vatsa, and Maryam Sanda — who was convicted in 2020 for killing her husband — have sparked public outrage since the list was released.
CISLAC said the move not only weakened international confidence but also demoralised anti-graft and security agencies.
“It’s an insult to the justice system and a slap in the face of agencies like EFCC, ICPC, NDLEA, and the police, whose officers risked their lives to bring these people to justice,” the organisation said.
“How do you expect them to stay motivated when their work can be undone with a single signature?” it asked.
The group further accused the government of favouring elites, noting that while politically connected individuals were quickly pardoned, thousands of ordinary Nigerians languished in prison for minor offences or without trial.
“You have people in prison for years, some over petty crimes or awaiting trial for a decade or more, but the government is showing mercy to those who have done real harm to the economy and society,” CISLAC lamented.
The organisation also expressed concern that the pardon could allow some beneficiaries to erase their criminal records and even return to their former criminal networks.
“By granting a pardon, you’re effectively saying these people never committed a crime. That’s dangerous. They could even sue if called ex-convicts. This is rewriting history and rewarding wrongdoing,” it warned.
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CISLAC urged the government to urgently review the presidential pardon process and establish a transparent framework that prioritises justice and fairness.
“Clemency should be reserved for inmates awaiting trial or those convicted of minor, non-violent offences — not for individuals who have looted public funds or destroyed lives,” it stated.
“This was a serious lapse in judgment. Those who advised the president on this decision have done the nation a disservice. National interest must always come before politics,” CISLAC concluded.
