Amnesty International has expressed serious concern over President Bola Tinubu’s recent decision to grant presidential pardon to several individuals, including Nigeria’s founding father Herbert Macaulay and former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory under the Babangida regime, Major General Mamman Vatsa (retd).
The global rights organization urged the Nigerian government to reconsider the move, warning that it could promote impunity and deny justice to victims of human rights violations.
The clemency, announced last Thursday, has sparked public debate after it emerged that the list of beneficiaries also included some convicts, ex-convicts, drug offenders, illegal miners, and foreign nationals. Critics have argued that such inclusions raise questions about the intent and transparency of the exercise.
In a statement released on Monday, Amnesty International said it was “deeply concerned” by the government’s decision, stressing that granting pardons to individuals convicted of serious human rights violations prioritizes offenders over their victims and obstructs justice and reparations for those affected by their actions.
According to the organization, “The way and manner Nigerian authorities carried out the exercise seemed to prioritise the perpetrators instead of access to justice and effective remedies for the victims and their families.” The group warned that such actions could weaken Nigeria’s legal framework and damage efforts to promote truth, accountability, and justice.
Amnesty International further stated: “The actions of the government have the potential of undermining the rule of law, preventing the emergence of the truth, the determination of guilt or innocence by a court, and reparations for victims, as well as entrenching impunity for human rights crimes.”
The watchdog emphasized that granting clemency to individuals accused or convicted of human rights crimes sends the wrong signal to victims and the public, implying that justice can be easily compromised for political or personal reasons. It urged the Tinubu administration to review its decision and focus on upholding the rights of victims and ensuring that justice takes precedence over political considerations.
“President Bola Tinubu should reconsider his government’s pardons for those convicted of human rights crimes, and uphold and ensure the rights of the victims and their families,” the organization added.
Amnesty International’s statement has reignited debate about the purpose and process of Nigeria’s presidential pardon system, with many calling for clearer guidelines to prevent perceived misuse or favoritism.
What you should know
Amnesty International has urged President Bola Tinubu to reverse recent pardons granted to certain convicts, including those accused of human rights violations.
The group warned that the decision risks weakening Nigeria’s rule of law and denying justice to victims, calling instead for accountability and transparency in government actions.
