‘Ex-warlords Have Been Granted Amnesties’ – Tinubu Asked To Pardon Abba Kyari

The International Human Rights Commission (IHRC) office in Nigeria has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to grant presidential pardon to the suspended Deputy Commissioner of Police, Abba Kyari.

In a statement on Friday issued by its Head of Diplomatic Mission in Nigeria, Duru Hezekiah, the IHRC asked Tinubu to free Kyari in the interest of national security.

According to the Commission, the call for his pardon became necessary following rising wave of insecurity across the country, from terrorism and kidnapping to organised crime and armed banditry.

While reaffirming its respect for the ongoing judicial proceedings against the suspended DCP, the IHRC called for a national dialogue on the matter, in order to consolidate growing public and stakeholder support for a strategic and conditional presidential pardon for Kyari.

Hezekiah stated that the appeal is aimed at seeking consideration for the country’s strategic national interests.

The Commission said: “Our position is not to circumvent justice or interfere with legal processes.

“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 IHRC proposed that Nigeria could explore the option of conditional clemency, citing Section 175 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which empowers the President to grant pardons and reprieves.

“Globally, there are precedents where convicted individuals with valuable operational expertise have been reintegrated into national service through conditional frameworks—under strict legal and ethical oversight.

“In the United States, law enforcement agencies have regularly offered plea bargains or deferred sentencing in exchange for intelligence or cooperation.

“Former hackers have been recruited by governments to assist in cybersecurity defences.

“In post-conflict African states, ex-warlords have been granted conditional amnesties enable peace and stability,” it stated.

“A conditional pardon for Kyari—subject to public accountability—could transform a controversial figure into a rehabilitated asset in Nigeria’s fight against crime,” the commission added.

The organisation noted that President Tinubu is uniquely positioned to take this historic decision with the support of the Nigerian people.

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