President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved pardons for 120 convicts under the presidential prerogative of mercy, trimming an initial list of 175 beneficiaries in a move the presidency says underscores his commitment to justice and correctional reforms.
Gatekeepers Newsreports that in a statement issued on Wednesday, Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, said the review became necessary due to “the seriousness and security implications” of some of the previously recommended offences and to remain “sensitive to the feelings of victims and society.”
Among those removed from the original list was Maryam Sanda, who was sentenced to death in 2017 for killing her husband. Her death sentence has now been commuted to 12 years’ imprisonment instead of a full pardon.
Others excluded include several drug offenders, illegal miners, and white-collar convicts initially slated for release. Notably, Nweke Francis Chibueze, 44, who was serving a life sentence for cocaine trafficking at Kirikiri, and Nwogu Peters, 67, who was convicted of fraud, were removed from the final list.
The earlier list, which drew public criticism for allegedly granting clemency to undeserving offenders, has now been revised to reflect a stricter review process.
Onanuga also disclosed that the president has ordered the relocation of the Presidential Advisory Committee on Prerogative of Mercy from the Ministry of Special Duties to the Ministry of Justice, to improve oversight and transparency.
Tinubu further directed Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), to issue new guidelines governing future exercises of presidential clemency.
“This will ensure that only persons who fully meet the stipulated legal and procedural requirements will henceforth benefit from the issuance of instruments of release,” the statement read.
The revised list includes posthumous pardons for notable figures such as Ken Saro-Wiwa, Mamman Jiya Vatsa, and Herbert Macaulay, alongside 86 others whose sentences were reduced for various offences, including manslaughter, fraud, armed robbery, drug offences, and illegal mining.
Highlights of the Revised Pardon List
Pardoned:
• Anastasia Daniel Nwaobia
• Hussaini Alhaji Umar
• Ayinla Saadu Alanamu
• Hon. Farouk M. Lawan
• Herbert Macaulay
• Mamman Jiya Vatsa
• Ken Saro-Wiwa
• Saturday Dobee
• Nordu Eawo
• Daniel Gbooko
• Paul Levera
• Felix Nuale
• Baribor Bera
• Barinem Kiobel
• John Kpuine
Presidential Clemency:
• Oroka Michael Chibueze
• Adesanya Olufemi Paul
• Daniel Bodunwa
• Hamza Abubakar
• Buhari Sani
• Mohammed Musa
• Muharazu Abubakar
• Ibrahim Yusuf
• Saad Ahmed Madaki
• Michael Bawa
• Richard Ayuba
• Adam Abubakar
• Emmanuel Yusuf
• Chinedu Stanley
• Johnny Ntheru Udor
Commutation of Death Sentences to Life Imprisonment:
• Emmanuel Baba
• Abubakar Usman
• Khalifa Umar
• Mohammed Umar
Reduced Terms:
• 86 convicts, including 40 illegal miners and 17 drug offenders.
