Professor faults Tinubu for pardoning of de-radicalised bandits, killers

A Professor of Political Science and Defence Studies at the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), Kaduna, Toba Alabi, has faulted the recent pardon granted by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to some convicted criminals, particularly de-radicalised Boko Haram insurgents and notorious bandits, describing such clemency as misplaced and potentially demoralising to security forces.

Speaking on Frontline, a programme on Eagle 102.5 FM monitored by The Guardian, Alabi acknowledged that the President acted within his constitutional powers by extending the prerogative of mercy to 175 persons convicted of various offences, including drug-related crimes, fraud, and murder.

He, however, expressed strong reservations about extending such mercy to insurgents and bandits who had killed innocent citizens and later claimed repentance.

“Going by the dictates of the Nigerian Constitution, the President has the right and power to grant pardon based on prerogative of mercy wherever it is necessary. So, within the Constitution, the President has not done anything wrong. But, as we know, no government action in Nigeria escapes controversy — especially when it concerns the executive arm,” he said.

Alabi cautioned that while presidential pardons were constitutional, extending them to violent offenders could have serious security and moral implications.

“There is no way we can say this action aids criminality unless the pardoned persons are unrepentant criminals. But if someone has killed 100 people and simply says he has repented, and you let him walk home to his family  that is not right. Such people should either be executed or, at the very least, serve life imprisonment. You can commute their sentence, but not grant an outright pardon,” he warned.

The professor added that the indiscriminate pardon of violent offenders could undermine the morale of soldiers and security operatives still risking their lives to combat insurgency and banditry across the country.

“De-radicalisation is a normal process in any conflict situation, but the type and extent of pardon matter. Setting free people who have committed outrageous crimes sends the wrong signal to the troops on the battlefield and the victims’ families,” he said.

Commenting on the case of Maryam Sanda — convicted of killing her husband, Bilyaminu Bello — Alabi said her pardon may have been influenced by reports of remorse and good behaviour in prison, but he urged the authorities to revisit the case in light of public concerns about justice.

“Yes, if a person has shown remorse and good behaviour after years in prison, the authorities may consider clemency. However, every case must be carefully evaluated to balance compassion with justice,” he added.