NIGERIA: Tinubu Signs Presidential Pardon, Relocates Prerogative Of Mercy Secretariat To Justice Ministry

By Onoja Baba, Nigeria 

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has signed the Instruments of Clemency and Pardons, formally exercising his constitutional powers under Section 175 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) to grant pardon, clemency, and sentence commutation to selected individuals.

According to a statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the move follows consultations with the Council of State and broad public input on the list of beneficiaries. The President also directed a further review of the earlier approved list to ensure fairness and adherence to national security considerations.

In the reviewed list, individuals convicted of serious crimes such as kidnapping, drug trafficking, human trafficking, fraud, and unlawful possession of firearms were removed. Some others who had been previously pardoned had their sentences commuted instead.

The President said the decision was informed by the need to maintain public confidence in the justice system, protect victims’ rights, and boost the morale of law enforcement agencies. He emphasized that justice must remain “a three-way traffic for the accused, the victim, and the state.”

The final list of approved beneficiaries has been transmitted to the Nigerian Correctional Service for implementation.

As part of broader reforms, President Tinubu also ordered the relocation of the Secretariat of the Presidential Advisory Committee on Prerogative of Mercy from the Federal Ministry of Special Duties to the Federal Ministry of Justice. He further directed the Attorney-General of the Federation to develop new guidelines for future exercises, including mandatory consultation with prosecuting agencies before any pardon or clemency is granted.

Among those granted presidential pardon are Mrs. Anastasia Daniel Nwaobia, Barr. Hussaini Alhaji Umar, Ayinla Saadu Alanamu, Hon. Farouk Lawan, and posthumously, Major General Mamman Vatsa, Ken Saro-Wiwa, Baribor Bera, Barinem Kiobel, and others executed during the Abacha regime.

Those whose death sentences were commuted to life imprisonment include Emmanuel Baba, Abubakar Usman, Khalifa Umar, and Mohammed Umar.

Fifteen others, including Oroka Michael Chibueze, Adesanya Olufemi Paul, Daniel Bodunwa, and Ex-Corporal Michael Bawa, were granted clemency.

President Tinubu expressed appreciation to Nigerians for their feedback and reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to judicial reforms and improving the administration of justice in the country.

The Instruments of Presidential Prerogative of Mercy (Grant of Pardon, Clemency, and Commutation of Death Sentence to Life Imprisonment) were signed in Abuja on October 21, 2025.