Grant of presidential pardon in the United States and Nigeria: posthumousness, corporateness and other matters

Presidents Donald Trump and Muhammadu Buhari of the United States and Nigeria respectively exercised their constitutional pardon power in recent times, in circumstances that many persons view as controversial. Although pardon power is well recognised, its scope has not, however, been fully explored. This article provides a nuanced articulation of the complexities
inherent in the scope of pardon power. The questions it addresses are, can pardon be granted before conviction? Can pardon power be exercised to undermine court’s power to penalise contempt? Can corporate entities be pardoned? Does a deceased person come within the scope of constitutional pardon power?