

The Supreme Court’s decision in Maryam Sanda v C.O.P1 (“Sanda’s case”) has reignited debate over whether the prerogative of mercy (“mercy”) may be exercised while a convict’s appeal is still pending. Rooted in the ancient royal prerogative2 and retained in sections 175 and 212 of the Constitution3, this executive power functions as a humane corrective to the criminal justice system,

