Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Mohammed Ndarani, has warned that granting state pardons to convicted public officials weakens democratic institutions and undermines the rule of law.
In an interview with Radio Nigeria in Abuja, Ndarani expressed his support for the stance taken by the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, who recently called for an end to the practice of granting state pardons to corrupt politicians.
At a roundtable organized by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) for state Attorneys General, Fagbemi argued that the constitutional provision for state pardons should exclude convicted political officeholders, particularly those found guilty of corruption. Ndarani echoed this sentiment, advocating for a constitutional amendment to address this issue.
Ndarani criticized the pardoning of politicians convicted of corruption, fraud, and looting of public funds, arguing that it discredits institutions like the courts, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), and the ICPC. He noted that these institutions invest significant resources in investigating and prosecuting corruption cases, only for their efforts to be undermined by state pardons.
The senior lawyer further argued that pardoning corrupt officials negates the punitive purpose of their convictions, allowing them to regain their full benefits and enjoy the proceeds of their crimes. This, he said, not only compromises the integrity of the nation’s institutions but also tarnishes Nigeria’s anti-corruption efforts on the global stage.
Ndarani highlighted the negative impact of these pardons on Nigeria’s reputation, referencing a 2020 remark by former British Prime Minister David Cameron, who labeled Nigeria “fantastically corrupt.” He argued that such actions contribute to the poor treatment of Nigerian nationals abroad, as the country’s perceived tolerance for corruption affects its standing in the international community.
Moreover, Ndarani warned that state pardons for corrupt officials breed public disillusionment and disenfranchisement, eroding trust in the government and its institutions. He emphasized that removing such pardons could help restore public confidence in political officeholders and strengthen democratic values.
The legal expert concluded by linking the widespread abandonment of infrastructure projects to corruption, noting that funds intended for these developments are often embezzled by officials who face little to no consequence. Ending state pardons for corrupt officials, he argued, would send a strong message and help rebuild the nation’s democratic foundations.
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