The federal government has released a revised version of the presidential pardon list, with names of individuals convicted of serious offences removed following widespread criticism.
Maryam Sanda, sentenced to death in 2020 for the culpable homicide of her husband, Bilyaminu Bello, is no longer on the pardon list. She is to serve less than six years out of a now 12-year sentence, having served six years, eight months of her sentence already.
A statement issued by the presidency’s spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, confirms that President Tinubu exercised his constitutional power under Section 175(1) & (2) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) to grant pardons, commute sentences and reduce prison terms.
According to the statement, following consultations with the Council of State and consideration of public sentiment, the President directed a “further review” of the originally approved list.
As a result, individuals convicted of severe crimes — including kidnapping, drug trafficking, human-trafficking, illegal firearms possession, fraud and other offences with serious security implications — have been deleted from the list.
Others who were initially approved have instead had their sentences commuted or otherwise reduced.
The presidency explained that the decision was driven by several considerations: the gravity of the offences, the security implications, the feelings of victims and society, the morale of law-enforcement agencies, and Nigeria’s bilateral obligations.
“Justice is a three-way traffic for the Accused, the Victim, and the State/Society,” the statement said.
The list of beneficiaries has been forwarded to the Nigerian Correctional Service for implementation in line with signed instruments of release.
The presidency also announced institutional reforms: the secretariat of the Presidential Advisory Committee on Prerogative of Mercy will be moved from the Federal Ministry of Special Duties to the Federal Ministry of Justice, and the Attorney-General has been directed to issue clear guidelines to ensure future exercises are strictly in line with legal and procedural requirements — including mandatory consultation with prosecuting agencies.
The full list of the 175 persons approved is publicly available, with categories including posthumous pardons (notably the Ogoni Nine), commutations of death sentences to life imprisonment, grants of full pardon, and reductions of prison terms.
Among the posthumous pardons are prominent figures such as Ken Saro‑Wiwa and the other Ogoni Nine activists, as well as nationalist Herbert Macaulay and retired Major General Mamman Jiya Vatsa.
However, the process remains under review. The Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), clarified that none of the approved inmates have yet been released, as the formal instruments of release are still being processed.
He emphasised that the final administrative stage allows for “a final look” at names for remedial purposes before implementation.
The controversy that triggered the review stemmed from public outrage over the inclusion of certain high-profile convicts – including individuals convicted for violent crimes, kidnapping, or drug trafficking – in the pardon list.
Security and anti-corruption agencies reportedly flagged several names as problematic, prompting the trimming of the list.
In sum, President Tinubu’s gesture of mercy has been recalibrated to balance the principles of justice, rehabilitation and national security, amid calls for greater transparency in the use of the prerogative of mercy.
