In a statement released on Tuesday by its Comrade General and former Minister of Sports, Solomon Dalung, the group described Kyari’s continued detention as “a grave injustice,” especially in light of recent presidential pardons granted to several convicts—many of whom, it claimed, were arrested by Kyari’s team.
“It is unjust that those arrested by Kyari are now enjoying presidential mercy while he remains behind bars,” the statement read.
Dalung argued that the government’s selective application of clemency “ridicules fairness” and undermines public confidence in Nigeria’s justice system.
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) arraigned Kyari and six others in March 2022 over alleged conspiracy to tamper with and traffic 21.35 kilograms of cocaine.
Last week, President Bola Tinubu approved a list of 175 pardons, including those of Herbert Macaulay, Major General Mamman Vatsa, and Maryam Sanda, following recommendations from the Presidential Advisory Committee on the Prerogative of Mercy, chaired by the Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN).
MEN maintained that continuing Kyari’s prosecution despite these pardons “undermines equity” and “sets a dangerous precedent that could discourage dedicated public officers.”
“Justice demands consistency,” the statement continued. “Mercy must not be reserved for the guilty while punishment is sustained against the righteous.”
The group therefore urged President Tinubu and the Attorney-General to “end Kyari’s prosecution and ensure his release without delay,” warning that failure to do so would amount to a “travesty of justice.”
Kyari, a former head of the Intelligence Response Team (IRT), earned national recognition for his role in high-profile arrests before his suspension in 2022. He has since maintained his innocence.
