Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume has inaugurated the Presidential Advisory Committee on Prerogative of Mercy (PACPM).
Gatekeepers News reports that this is a significant step towards promoting justice, rehabilitation, and human rights in Nigeria.
This was announced through a statement by Segun Imohiosen, Director of Information and Public Relations of the Office Of The Secretary To The Government Of The Federation.
During the inauguration ceremony, Akume noted that: “Section 175 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) confers special powers of prerogative of mercy on the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. This power enables the President to grant pardon to any person convicted of an offence created by an Act of the National Assembly.”
The SGF notes that the Presidential Advisory Committee on Prerogative of Mercy is an administrative body with the mandate to provide and facilitate a seamless and smooth exercise of power by the President.
The institutional representative on the Committee includes the Attorney-General of the Federation and the Minister of Justice as Chairman.
Other members of the committee include Permanent Secretary, Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Affairs,
Representative of Nigeria Police Force, Representative of Nigerian Correctional Service, Representative of National Human Rights Commission, Representative of Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Representative of Christian Association of Nigeria.
Other members of the Committee are:
Also included in the committee are Justice Augustine B. Utsaha, Prof. Alkasum Abba, Chief Akinlolu Olujinmi, Prof. (Mrs) Nike Y. Sidikat Ijaiya, Director, Special Duties and Inter-governmental Affairs as Secretary
PACPM within its four (4) year tenure will play a critical role in supporting the dispensation of justice about the decongestion of correctional facilities, particularly in ensuring that eligible and deserving prisoners and ex-convicts are recommended for the consideration of the President.
In his response, AGF and Minister of Justice who is the Chairman assured the President that the committee will deliver adequately in assisting him to discharge his constitutional responsibility of granting pardon and clemency to convicts or ex-convicts in deserving cases and reintegrating them into society.
