The Centre for the Promotion of Private Enterprise (CPPE) is urging the Federal Government to urgently review and rationalise the list of individuals granted the prerogative of mercy by President Bola Tinubu, which includes both living and deceased Nigerians.

In a policy brief made available to our editor on Sunday, the CPPE asserted that while the prerogative of mercy is a legitimate constitutional tool, its application to serious economic and financial offences, as well as other criminal acts, requires utmost discretion, transparency, and alignment with Nigeria’s commitments to anti-corruption, drug control, and the sanctity of human life.

Dr Muda Yusuf, Director/CEO of CPPE, expressed concerns about the inclusion of individuals convicted of corruption, financial crimes, murder, drug trafficking, and illegal mining.

He stated, “Extending clemency and pardons to persons convicted of corruption, financial fraud, illegal mining, murder, and drug-related crimes has far-reaching economic and social consequences.”

He highlighted the following issues:

– Illegal Mining: It undermines legitimate enterprises, depletes national revenue, and fuels insecurity in mining communities.

– Corruption and Financial Crimes: These distort markets, weaken institutions, and discourage fair competition.

– Drug Trafficking: This tarnishes Nigeria’s global image, exacerbates insecurity, and imposes significant social costs.

Leniency toward financial and economic crimes erodes deterrence, weakens enforcement, and signals a tolerance for misconduct.

A lenient approach undermines respect for the law and the credibility of governance.

Damage to Investor Confidence

Investor confidence thrives on predictability, fairness, and justice. When individuals convicted of economic or financial crimes are pardoned, it raises concerns about policy consistency, the sanctity of contracts, and investment security, thereby discouraging both domestic and foreign investors.

Reputational and Governance Risks

Excessive clemency could reverse gains in governance credibility and reinforce perceptions of institutional weakness.

Such perceptions can negatively impact sovereign risk ratings, capital inflows, and the overall attractiveness of Nigeria’s investment climate.”

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has dismissed reports linking the cancellation of Nigeria’s 65th Independence Anniversary activities to an alleged attempted military coup, calling such claims misleading and false.

An online publication had reported that 16 military officers, from Captain to Brigadier General, were detained by the Defence Intelligence Agency over suspected covert meetings to plan a coup against the government.

In a statement issued on Saturday and signed by the Director of Defence Information, Brigadier General Tukur Gusau, the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) described the report as malicious and intended to create unnecessary tension and distrust among Nigerians.

The DHQ clarified that the cancellation of the Independence Day parade was due to President Bola Tinubu’s attendance at a strategic bilateral meeting abroad, and to allow the military to focus on ongoing operations against terrorism, insurgency, and banditry.

The statement further assured the public that the investigation involving the officers is a routine internal process aimed at maintaining discipline and professionalism within the armed forces. An investigative panel has been set up, and its findings will be released once the inquiry concludes.

The DHQ called on Nigerians to support security agencies and disregard misinformation circulated by enemies of the state. It reaffirmed the Armed Forces’ loyalty to the Constitution and the Federal Government under President Tinubu.

“The Federal Government, the legislature, and the judiciary are working closely for the safety, development, and well-being of the nation. Democracy is forever,” the statement emphasized.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned on Saturday that the Gaza war will not end until Hamas is disarmed and the territory is demilitarized.

His statement came as Hamas’s armed wing, the Ezzedine Al-Qassam Brigades, handed over the remains of two more hostages under a U.S.-brokered ceasefire agreement. The Red Cross received the remains late Saturday, which were then transferred to Israeli security forces.

The recovery of dead hostages remains a key issue delaying full implementation of the ceasefire’s first phase. Israel has linked reopening the Rafah crossing with Egypt to the return of all hostages’ remains.

Netanyahu emphasized that completing the ceasefire’s second phase—which includes disarming Hamas—is crucial to ending the conflict. “When that is successfully completed—hopefully peacefully, but if not, by force—then the war will end,” he said on Israeli Channel 14.

Hamas has resisted disarmament and is working to reassert control over Gaza since the ceasefire began.

Under the ceasefire brokered by U.S. President Donald Trump, Hamas has released all 20 living hostages and the remains of 10 people, including Israelis and one Nepalese. Israel has freed nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners and returned 135 Palestinian bodies in exchange.

Hamas says it needs more time and assistance to recover remaining bodies buried under rubble. The two bodies returned Saturday were reportedly recovered earlier that day.

Netanyahu indicated that the Rafah crossing’s reopening depends on Hamas fulfilling its part in returning hostages’ bodies. While the Palestinian mission in Cairo announced the crossing might open Monday for Gazans in Egypt, Netanyahu’s office later ordered it remain closed until further notice.

Hamas warned the closure would delay the transfer of remains.

Meanwhile, UN humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher, visiting northern Gaza, described the devastation as “a vast wasteland” and highlighted the huge challenges ahead, including providing food, rebuilding healthcare, and preparing for winter.

Despite the ceasefire, some violence continued. Gaza’s civil defense reported Israeli tank fire killed nine Palestinians from the Shaaban family. Israeli military said they fired warning shots at a vehicle approaching their position, perceiving it as a threat, and acted under the ceasefire terms.

Relatives mourned the victims, with one grandmother asking, “What did they do wrong?”