Braimah urges President to sanction those who compiled the 175-name pardon list and calls for a full investigation
Ehi Braimah pardon list has drawn fierce condemnation from the public relations and marketing expert after the controversy surrounding a 175-name presidential pardon list.
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Speaking live on Channels TV, Braimah described the episode as a national embarrassment and demanded that those responsible be sanctioned.
Braimah, addressing viewers and journalists, said Nigerians were “completely outraged” and that the compilation of the list warranted a thorough probe.
He argued that the president himself should not be the person blamed for the blunder and called on the president to set up a team to investigate how the 175 names were selected.
The PR professional pressed the Attorney General to offer a full explanation, noting that as chief law officer he chairs the committee that should have vetted the list.
Braimah questioned the vetting process and the legal checks that should have prevented the inclusion of alleged kidnappers, drug traffickers and corrupt figures.
He welcomed the president’s decision to review the list but insisted that review was not enough. “Those responsible for the presidential pardon list before review must be sanctioned,” Braimah said.
He urged a clear sanctioning framework so that those who packaged or approved the list would be held accountable.
Braimah repeatedly thanked the president for listening to public outcry and initiating a review, but he warned that the matter raised legal and ethical issues that could not be swept under the carpet.
He asked whether the list had been packaged by a small group, and why proper legal scrutiny appeared to have been bypassed.
The commentator called for transparency and urged the government to publish the criteria and process used to compile the list.
He suggested that an independent panel should examine the chain of custody of the document and the minutes of meetings where names were proposed and approved.
Braimah’s remarks tapped into a widespread sense of dismay and a demand for accountability.
He described the episode as “a major embarrassment not only to the president but to the entire country” and insisted that heads must roll if malpractice is proven.
If the government follows through, Braimah said, it would send a stark message that systems and standards will be defended and that public confidence matters.
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He closed by reiterating his appeal to the president to ensure a transparent inquiry and appropriate sanctions where wrongdoing is found.
Quadri Olaitan is a journalist and contributor to Freelanews.com, covering news, public affairs, and human-interest stories.
