In a major development, the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) has initiated steps to identify inmates across the country eligible for a nationwide presidential pardon under the directive of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Acting Controller General of Corrections (CGC), Sylvester Nwakuche, has written to all state Controllers of Corrections and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Commands, requesting comprehensive lists of prisoners who meet specific criteria for clemency.
Nwakuche, who assumed office on December 16, 2024, following the retirement of his predecessor, Haliru Nababa, is spearheading this initiative as part of Tinubu’s broader reform agenda aimed at decongesting prisons and addressing systemic issues within the justice system.
Memo Highlights Presidential Clemency Criteria
The directive was outlined in a memo dated January 17, 2025, with reference number NCoS 848/C. I/VOL. 1/288, exclusively obtained by Sahara Reporters. Titled “Request For List Of Prisoners/Inmates Eligible For Presidential Pardon/Clemency Nationwide,” the memo sets out clear eligibility criteria for inmates, emphasizing compassionate grounds and other mitigating factors.
According to the memo, the following categories of inmates will be considered for clemency:
1. Elderly prisoners aged 60 years and above.
2. Inmates with terminal illnesses or severe health conditions likely to result in death.
3. Young offenders aged 16 years or below.
4. Long-term convicts who have served 10 years or more with good behavior.
5. Awaiting trial prisoners (ATPs) in custody for over 10 years.
6. Convicts serving terms of three years or more who have less than six months left to serve.
7. ATPs in custody for three years or more for minor offences or those who have stayed longer than the sentences they would have received if convicted.
However, the directive explicitly excludes prisoners convicted of state offences or non-Nigerian inmates deported to the country.
The memo underscores the urgency of the exercise, directing all Controllers to promptly furnish the required lists to the Controller General’s office. It reads:
“I am directed to write and request you to as a matter of urgency, furnish the office of the Controller-General of Corrections with the list of ALL qualified prisoners/inmates in your Command for Presidential Pardon/Clemency.”
This move, if successfully implemented, is expected to impact thousands of inmates languishing in overcrowded correctional facilities, many of whom have faced prolonged trials or are battling health challenges.
President Tinubu’s decision to grant clemency comes amid ongoing calls from human rights organizations and legal experts for prison reforms. Nigeria’s correctional facilities are notorious for their overpopulation, with some housing more than three times their designed capacity. This clemency initiative aligns with the administration’s broader goals of ensuring justice, equity, and compassion within the judicial system.
Observers have lauded the move as a humanitarian gesture aimed at addressing the plight of the vulnerable while easing the burden on Nigeria’s overstrained prison system. However, questions remain about the transparency and fairness of the selection process.
As the Nigerian Correctional Service races against time to compile and review the lists, the nation watches closely, hoping this initiative sets the stage for meaningful reforms in the country’s correctional and judicial systems.
PIONEER NEWS 