Court orders reinstatement of 70 pardoned Nigerian soldiers, rules pardon removes employment barrier
The Federal High Court ordered the reinstatement of 70 Nigerian soldiers who received presidential pardons but weren't reinstated by the army after serving prison time. Justice ruled the absolute pardon removed all legal barriers to employment, returning soldiers to "new man" status.
However, the pardon doesn't grant backpay for prison period - only salary from pardon date forward. Soldiers' lawyers Funmi Falana SAN and C.H. Onwuemene sued AGF and Chief of Army Staff after pardon didn't trigger automatic reinstatement. AGF argued pardon doesn't auto-revive employment contracts terminated by conviction.
Chief of Army Staff didn't respond to reinstatement requests, which judge called an administrative omission the court could correct. While affirming right to reinstatement, court held no clause in pardon instrument provides for salary arrears during incarceration period.
The 70 soldiers, who wrote to Army Chief seeking reinstatement after serving time, now must be formally reemployed but won't recover lost wages from prison years. Ruling sets precedent on pardon effects for public sector employment.
Will the Army comply immediately with reinstatement order, and how will this affect future cases where pardoned officials seek job restoration?