As Nigeria continues to grapple with escalating insecurity, the International Human Rights Commission (IHRC) has appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to consider granting a conditional presidential pardon to the embattled former Deputy Commissioner of Police, Abba Kyari.
The IHRC’s recommendation was conveyed through a statement issued in Abuja by its Head of Diplomatic Mission in Nigeria, Ambassador (Dr.) Duru Hezekiah.
The organization emphasized that its call was not meant to interfere with ongoing judicial processes but rather to propose a forward-thinking strategy that aligns with constitutional provisions and prioritizes national security.
“Our intention is not to override the law but to advocate for a framework that values the operational experience of seasoned security experts if deemed legally eligible and under strict public oversight,” the statement read.
Citing Nigeria’s intensifying battle against terrorism, kidnapping, and organized crime, IHRC argued that all lawful avenues that could enhance the country’s security apparatus should be explored. The Commission referred to Section 175 of the Nigerian Constitution, which empowers the President to issue pardons and reprieves, highlighting international precedents where similar strategies have been applied.
“In the U.S., for instance, former hackers have been integrated into cybersecurity efforts. In several African countries recovering from conflict, ex-militants have been granted conditional amnesties to support peacebuilding. In that context, a well-monitored pardon for Kyari could shift his narrative from controversy to contributing meaningfully to national crime-fighting,” the IHRC said.
Reaffirming its commitment to justice and the rule of law, the Commission was clear that it was not advocating impunity, but rather proposing a measured balance between accountability and national resilience.