The International Human Rights Commission (IHRC) has urged President Bola Tinubu to consider granting a conditional presidential pardon to suspended Deputy Commissioner of Police Abba Kyari in the interest of national security.
In a statement issued in Abuja by Ambassador (Dr.) Duru Hezekiah, IHRC’s Head of Diplomatic Mission in Nigeria, the Commission noted that Nigeria’s worsening security landscape—including terrorism, kidnapping, and organised crime—demands a reassessment of how the nation utilizes its most experienced security personnel.
“Our position is not to circumvent justice or interrupt legal processes. Rather, we urge a future-focused, constitutionally grounded approach that recognises the tactical value of experienced security personnel—if found eligible under law and subject to public accountability,” the IHRC said.
While reaffirming its respect for ongoing judicial processes, the Commission clarified that its call was not an attempt to influence the courts but to propose a broader national dialogue. It noted that Section 175 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) empowers the President to grant pardons or reprieves when necessary.
Citing international precedents, the Commission referenced the United States’ use of plea bargains or deferred sentencing to enlist intelligence from convicted individuals, including ex-hackers who were reintegrated to assist cybersecurity efforts.
“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,” it stated.
“In post-conflict African states, ex-warlords have been granted conditional amnesties to enable peace and stability.”
IHRC argued that Abba Kyari, once regarded as Nigeria’s most effective anti-crime officer, possesses significant tactical and intelligence knowledge that could still benefit the country—if his reintegration is done lawfully, transparently, and with full public 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 organisation added.
The Commission stressed that conditional clemency should be seen as a pragmatic national security strategy, not forgiveness or political favoritism.
“This is a call for strategic statecraft. In times of national crisis, justice must be redemptive as well as corrective. If used wisely, conditional clemency can serve as a bridge between law enforcement accountability and long-term peacebuilding.”
Kyari, once celebrated for leading successful crackdowns on high-profile kidnappers and terror groups, was suspended and indicted in 2022 over arrests his IRT team made concerning cocaine trafficking.
His alleged involvement is ongoing at the Federal High Court in Abuja. He has denied any involvement.
Recently at the resumed hearing of the case, a witness from a telecom company explained that going by its analysis of television conversations with the cocaine traffickers, there was no telephone contact between Kyari and them.
The cocaine traffickers have since been convicted and released.
The IHRC added, “Let this be a defining moment where justice, constitutionality and national interest align to restore peace and confidence in our security framework.”
It also called on civil society organisations, legal experts, human rights advocates, and national security policymakers to engage in constructive dialogue on how Nigeria can harmonise justice with resilience.
