The International Human Rights Commission (IHRC) has urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to consider granting a presidential pardon to suspended Deputy Commissioner of Police Abba Kyari, citing the country’s deteriorating security situation and the need for experienced personnel in the fight against crime.
In a statement released Friday by Duru Hezekiah, the IHRC’s Head of Diplomatic Mission in Nigeria, the commission argued that Kyari’s release could serve Nigeria’s strategic national interests amid escalating threats from terrorism, kidnapping, organized crime, and armed banditry across the nation.
The commission emphasized that its appeal is not intended to undermine ongoing judicial proceedings against the suspended police officer, but rather to initiate a national conversation about the possibility of conditional clemency. Hezekiah stressed that the organization respects the legal process while advocating for a forward-looking approach that considers the tactical value of experienced security personnel.
“Our position is not to circumvent justice or interfere with legal processes,” the IHRC stated. “Rather, we urge a future-focused, constitutionally grounded approach that recognises the tactical value of experienced security personnel—if found eligible under the law and subject to public accountability.”
The commission pointed to Section 175 of Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution, which grants the President powers to issue pardons and reprieves, as the legal framework for such action. The IHRC also cited international precedents where individuals with valuable operational expertise have been reintegrated into national service through conditional frameworks under strict oversight.
Drawing parallels to global practices, the organization noted that American law enforcement agencies have utilized plea bargains and deferred sentencing in exchange for intelligence and cooperation. They also referenced instances where former hackers have been recruited by governments for cybersecurity defense and cases in post-conflict African states where ex-warlords received conditional amnesties to promote peace and stability.
The IHRC suggested that a conditional pardon for Kyari, combined with public accountability measures, could potentially transform the controversial figure into a rehabilitated asset in Nigeria’s ongoing battle against criminal activities. The commission believes President Tinubu is uniquely positioned to make this historic decision with the backing of the Nigerian people, as the country grapples with mounting security challenges that require all available expertise and resources.
