IHRC Urges President Tinubu to Grant Conditional Pardon to Abba Kyari

The International Human Rights Commission (IHRC) has made a significant appeal to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, urging him to consider granting a presidential pardon to the suspended Deputy Commissioner of Police, Abba Kyari. The commission believes that, given the intensifying insecurity across Nigeria, Kyari’s experience and operational value could serve the nation under a controlled and constitutionally approved framework.

In a statement issued on Friday by the Head of Diplomatic Mission of the IHRC in Nigeria, Duru Hezekiah, the commission emphasized that its call is not meant to obstruct justice or tamper with ongoing legal proceedings. Instead, it seeks to initiate a broader national conversation that could potentially lead to a conditional pardon rooted in constitutional law and public accountability.

“Our position is not to circumvent justice or interfere with legal processes,” the statement read. “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’s appeal is motivated by Nigeria’s escalating security crisis. From terrorism and organized crime to kidnapping and banditry, the country faces a wave of violence that demands innovative and strategic responses. In this context, the Commission believes that reintegrating qualified, experienced personnel, such as Kyari, into the fight against crime could be a tactical move in the interest of national security.

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According to Hezekiah, this appeal is not merely about one man’s fate but about making use of every possible tool and expertise available to stabilize Nigeria. He argued that a conditional presidential pardon, subject to legal checks and public transparency, could convert a controversial figure into a national asset.

The IHRC suggested that the government consider leveraging Section 175 of the 1999 Nigerian Constitution (as amended), which grants the President the authority to issue pardons, reprieves, and clemencies. The Commission underscored that it is advocating for conditional clemency, not blanket immunity, proposing that any form of pardon be strictly regulated and tied to public service under ethical oversight.

Citing international precedents, the IHRC referenced cases where governments, including that of the United States, have strategically offered plea deals, deferred sentencing, or reintegration opportunities to individuals with specialized knowledge.

“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,” the IHRC stated.

It also highlighted examples such as cybersecurity experts with criminal pasts being hired by state security services, or post-conflict African states granting conditional amnesties to former warlords to aid peace and reconstruction efforts.

Beyond the presidential appeal, the IHRC called for a national dialogue involving key stakeholders, civil society, and the public to weigh in on the issue. Such dialogue, the Commission suggested, would ensure transparency, build consensus, and help define the terms under which conditional clemency could be granted without undermining justice.

“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.

By involving the Nigerian people in this process, the IHRC believes President Tinubu could take a landmark decision that balances justice with pragmatism, in line with national interests.

The IHRC concluded by noting that President Tinubu is uniquely positioned to take such a decision at a critical juncture in Nigeria’s security landscape. With support from Nigerians and constitutional backing, a well-structured pardon could open the door to a new form of security management, one that capitalizes on local experience and aligns with global best practices.

The debate over Abba Kyari’s future remains sensitive, given the high-profile allegations against him. However, the IHRC’s call introduces a fresh angle: can justice and national interest be balanced through constitutional channels? Only time, and perhaps a national conversation—will tell.