The International Human Rights Commission (IHRC) in Nigeria has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to consider granting a conditional presidential pardon to suspended police officer, Deputy Commissioner of Police Abba Kyari.
The request, issued through a statement on Friday in Abuja, was made by the Head of IHRC’s Diplomatic Mission in Nigeria, Duru Hezekiah.
He emphasized that the suggestion comes in light of Nigeria’s rising security challenges, including terrorism, kidnapping, and organized crime.
“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.”
Appeal not a dismissal of legal process
IHRC clarified that its appeal is not aimed at obstructing the ongoing prosecution of Kyari by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), but rather to consider a “strategic and conditional” option that might tap into his past experience in crime fighting.
“This is not about impunity, but about exploring constitutionally permissible options that prioritise national security, public interest, and accountability.”
The commission referenced Section 175 of the Nigerian Constitution (1999 as amended), which empowers the President to issue pardons or reprieves under specific conditions.
It also cited international examples, such as former hackers employed by U.S. cybersecurity agencies, or conditional amnesties granted in post-conflict African states.
Call for national dialogue and accountability
IHRC’s statement called for a broader conversation involving stakeholders from across civil society, human rights, legal circles, and security institutions to develop a framework that balances justice with national resilience.
“This is a call for strategic statecraft, not political favouritism,” it stated.
“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’s record and ongoing trial
Before his suspension in 2022, Abba Kyari was widely recognized for leading several high-profile anti-kidnapping and counterterrorism operations.
However, his image was severely tarnished following allegations of involvement in an international cocaine trafficking conspiracy, for which he is currently on trial.
IHRC believes that under lawful and ethical oversight, Kyari’s experience could still be redirected to serve national security objectives.
“A conditional pardon for Kyari could serve as a pragmatic tool of national security, potentially transforming him from a controversial figure into a rehabilitated contributor to crime-fighting efforts,” the statement concluded.
