President Bola Tinubu has signed the formal instruments to exercise his constitutional prerogative of mercy, granting clemency to selected inmates after a comprehensive review of the earlier list of beneficiaries.
The review, carried out in consultation with the Council of State and in response to widespread public criticism, saw the removal of individuals convicted of serious crimes, including kidnapping, human trafficking, drug offences, fraud, and illegal possession of firearms.
A statement from the Presidency said the decision was guided by the gravity of offences, national security concerns, the rights of victims, and Nigeria’s international obligations. It added that the review aimed to strike a balance between justice, compassion, and public interest.
“The principle guiding this review is that justice must serve not only the accused but also the victim and the state,” the Presidency stated.
Following the revision, the approved list of beneficiaries has been forwarded to the Nigerian Correctional Service for implementation.
As part of broader reforms to strengthen transparency and accountability in the clemency process, President Tinubu directed that the Secretariat of the Presidential Advisory Committee on Prerogative of Mercy be relocated from the Ministry of Special Duties to the Federal Ministry of Justice.
The President also ordered the Attorney-General of the Federation to issue new guidelines ensuring that future clemency decisions are made only after consultations with relevant prosecuting agencies.
Meanwhile, one of the notable changes in the revised clemency list involves Maryam Sanda, who was sentenced to death in 2020 for killing her husband, Bilyaminu Bello. Her death sentence has been commuted to a 12-year jail term on compassionate grounds.
According to an official gazette released by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, Sanda—who has spent about six years and eight months at the Suleja Medium Security Custodial Centre—will serve the remainder of her term.
Public outrage had trailed the earlier version of the clemency list released in early October, which included individuals convicted of violent and economic crimes. Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and human rights groups such as HURIWA had condemned the inclusion of high-risk offenders, describing it as a mockery of the justice system.
Out of the 175 approved beneficiaries, 41 were convicted illegal miners, 28 drug traffickers, and 22 murderers. The list also included coup plotters, foreign nationals, and corrupt politicians.
Those granted posthumous pardons include late environmental activist Ken Saro-Wiwa, members of the “Ogoni Eight,” as well as the late Major-General Mamman Vatsa, Major Akubo, and Professor Magaji Garba.
President Tinubu, while expressing appreciation for the constructive feedback from stakeholders and citizens, reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to justice sector reforms and the fair exercise of executive powers.
