Grant Abba Kyari presidential pardon, International rights commission tells Tinubu

The International Human Rights Commission (IHRC) in Nigeria has appealed to President Bola Tinubu to grant a conditional presidential pardon to suspended Deputy Commissioner of Police, Abba Kyari, citing national security concerns.

In a statement issued in Abuja by the commission’s Head of Diplomatic Mission, Duru Hezekiah, the organisation said the move was crucial given the growing threats of terrorism, kidnapping, organised crime, and armed banditry across the country.

According to Hezekiah, the IHRC believes a structured dialogue on the issue could help build consensus among stakeholders and the public, paving the way for a strategic and conditional clemency arrangement.

The commission clarified that it respected the ongoing legal proceedings against Kyari and stressed that its proposal was not intended to interfere with the judiciary.

“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 statement read.

Citing Section 175 of the 1999 Constitution, which empowers the President to issue pardons and reprieves, the IHRC suggested that a conditional clemency could be considered without undermining the rule of law.

“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 to enable peace and stability,” the statement added.

The IHRC maintained that such a step would not amount to forgiveness but could serve as a practical security strategy, especially where an individual has proven intelligence capabilities that could be redirected to strengthen national stability under transparent oversight.

“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 stated.

The organisation further urged President Tinubu to consider this as a historic opportunity to combine justice, constitutional provisions, and national interest for the sake of peace and confidence in Nigeria’s security systems.
“We are not advocating impunity. We propose a rehabilitative, oversight-driven reintegration process that prioritises public interest and national security—particularly if trial timing renders conventional justice measures impractical,” the IHRC emphasised.
The group also encouraged civil society, legal professionals, human rights advocates, and security experts to engage in dialogue on harmonising justice with national resilience.
“This is a call for strategic statecraft, not political favouritism. In times of national crisis, justice must be both redemptive and corrective. If used wisely, conditional clemency can serve as a bridge between law enforcement accountability and long-term peacebuilding.”
Kyari, once celebrated for leading major crackdowns on kidnapping syndicates, drug networks, and terrorist groups, saw his career derailed after a 2022 indictment in a cocaine trafficking case. He is currently facing trial by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency on allegations of misconduct and conspiracy.