President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the exercise of the Presidential Prerogative of Mercy, granting clemency to 175 individuals.
Gatekeepers News reports that the beneficiaries include prominent figures such as Farouk Lawan, Nigeria’s foremost nationalist Herbert Macaulay, and former FCT Minister Major-General Mamman Jiya Vatsa (rtd).
Gatekeepers News reports that the approval followed the Council of State’s endorsement on Thursday after the presentation of recommendations by the Presidential Advisory Committee on the Prerogative of Mercy (PACPM) at the State House, Abuja. The report was presented by the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN).
Among those granted posthumous pardons are Herbert Macaulay, a leading figure in Nigeria’s anti-colonial struggle who was twice convicted by British colonial authorities and banned from public office before his death in 1946, and Major-General Mamman Vatsa, who was executed in 1986 after being convicted of treason under the military regime of General Ibrahim Babangida.
In total, 82 inmates received full presidential pardons, 65 had their prison terms reduced, and 7 death-row inmates had their sentences commuted to life imprisonment. Additionally, 15 ex-convicts—including 11 deceased persons—were recommended for pardons.
Among the living beneficiaries are Farouk Lawan, a former member of the House of Representatives convicted of bribery; Mrs. Anastasia Daniel Nwaobia; Barrister Hussaini Umar; and Ayinla Saadu Alanamu. They were cleared for clemency following the committee’s review of their remorse, conduct, and rehabilitation progress.
Other notable names include Nweke Francis Chibueze, who was serving a life term for cocaine-related offences, and Dr. Nwogu Peters, who had completed 12 of a 17-year sentence for fraud.
The presidential pardon also extended to the Ogoni Nine—including Ken Saro-Wiwa and the Ogoni Four, activists from the Niger Delta executed under the regime of General Sani Abacha. The Ogoni Four additionally received national honours in recognition of their advocacy for justice and environmental reform.
The PACPM, chaired by the Attorney-General, was guided by humanitarian and constitutional criteria such as advanced age (60 years and above), severe illness, long-term incarceration with good conduct (10 years or more), rehabilitation, and demonstrated remorse.
In total, the committee reviewed 175 inmate interviews and 62 external applications covering 119 additional cases, bringing the total number of cases considered to 294.
Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State, who briefed journalists after the Council of State meeting, confirmed the figures: 82 full pardons, 65 sentence reductions, and 7 commutations from death to life imprisonment.
The committee’s final report was formally adopted and submitted to the Council, as required by the Constitution.
