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| Tinubu. |
Fresh indications on Thursday suggested that some individuals included in the presidential pardon list, earlier approved by the Council of State and presented by the Attorney-General of the Federation, Prince Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), might be removed.
This follows widespread public criticism over the inclusion of certain high-profile and violent offenders among those granted clemency by President Bola Tinubu.
Traditionally, presidential pardons are issued to mark national occasions, decongest prisons, and promote national reconciliation.
According to a presidential statement, the decision was based on the recommendations of the Presidential Advisory Committee on the Prerogative of Mercy, headed by the Attorney-General.
The statement added that the beneficiaries were categorised into six groups: those granted pardon, posthumous pardons (including the Ogoni Nine), victims of the Ogoni Nine honoured, presidential clemency (clemency beneficiaries), inmates recommended for reduced prison sentences, and inmates on death row whose sentences were commuted to life imprisonment.
However, this development has rekindled discussions surrounding the transparency and credibility of Nigeria’s clemency process.
On Thursday, Fagbemi (SAN) clarified that the Presidential Prerogative of Mercy recently announced by the President was still under review and had not yet been finalised.
Controversy has persisted over the inclusion of certain individuals, with key security and anti-corruption agencies such as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) reportedly taking steps to prevent the release of some people on the list.
At the Council of State meeting held on October 9, 2025, Fagbemi listed illegal miners, white-collar convicts, drug offenders, foreigners, Maj Gen Mamman Vatsa, Prof Magaji Garba, Ken Saro-Wiwa and the Ogoni Eight, as well as capital offenders such as Maryam Sanda, among 175 convicts and former convicts granted presidential pardon.
The Presidency published the full list in a statement on Saturday, October 11, 2025.
While the inclusion of some Politically-Exposed Persons such as Herbert Macaulay and Farouk Lawan caused little controversy, the presence of individuals associated with violent crimes and national security threats triggered public outrage.
Among them was Maryam Sanda, convicted in 2017 for fatally stabbing her husband, Bilyaminu Bello.
Although some members of Bello’s family rejected her pardon, his father, Alhaji Bello Isa, alongside Maryam’s father, Alhaji Garba Sanda, held a press conference to accept the presidential decision.
The President also extended clemency to Major S. Alabi Akubo, sentenced to life imprisonment for illegal possession of prohibited firearms, and one Kelvin Prosper Oniarah, whose kidnapping operations reportedly affected Delta, Edo, Rivers, Abia, Benue, and Oyo States, with detention camps located in Warri and Kokori (Delta), Ugbokolo (Benue), Benin City (Edo), and Aba (Abia).
Names of individuals convicted for killing security personnel, drug trafficking, and money laundering were also included, sparking further questions about the selection process.
This uproar has reportedly led to a review of the clemency exercise, with the Presidency considering dropping names that have generated significant public criticism.
A presidential aide familiar with the issue, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to comment publicly, revealed that the EFCC, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), the NDLEA, and other security agencies had strongly opposed the inclusion of some individuals.
The aide said the agencies claimed some names were “smuggled in” and were not part of the recommendations made by the official committee responsible for screening applicants for clemency.
He added that the anti-graft agencies warned that releasing certain convicts could jeopardise the fight against corruption and organised crime.
A senior security source reportedly said that some of the listed individuals “can never be released,” especially those convicted of killing security officers or involved in kidnapping and other capital crimes.
“The list was too wide, and some of the names did not pass the necessary security vetting. The EFCC, NDLEA, and other security agencies have insisted that the list must be pruned down. Not all the names came from the committee that reviewed the cases,” the presidential aide stated.
Other officials familiar with the matter said that the final list would exclude those whose release could threaten national security or weaken public trust in the justice system.
“The list will be trimmed to reflect only those who genuinely deserve the President’s mercy. Those whose inclusion created controversy will be expunged,” another senior official said on Thursday.
A separate official from one of the security agencies disclosed, “Some low-level officers at the level of the committee smuggled in some names. Obviously, the President is unaware of some of the names on that list. They have now sent the list to NDLEA and other security agencies for review. Some of the names on the list did not meet the criteria. Some low-level officers bypassed the criteria. In fact, some of the cases are still fresh. The good thing is that they are still in custody; they have not been released.”
An official from one of the anti-graft agencies also confirmed, under anonymity, that “I am aware the ICPC and the police are not comfortable with the list because the names of some convicts who are not supposed to be on that list are there.”
When contacted by the media, none of the agencies were willing to comment officially on the issue.
On Thursday, Fagbemi (SAN) reiterated that the Presidential Prerogative of Mercy recently announced by the President was still undergoing review and had not reached its final stage.
In a statement issued in Abuja, the minister clarified that none of the inmates approved for clemency had yet been released.
According to him, “The process remains at the final administrative stage, which includes a standard review to ensure that all names and recommendations fully comply with established legal and procedural requirements before any instrument of release is issued.”
He explained that after the Council of State’s approval, the next step was the formal issuance of instruments implementing the President’s decisions for each beneficiary.
“This stage affords an opportunity for a final review of the list for remedial purposes, if necessary, before the instrument is forwarded to the Controller-General of Corrections for necessary action. This verification process is part of the standard protocol and reflects the government’s commitment to transparency and due diligence,” the AGF said.
Fagbemi commended the public’s attentiveness and constructive criticism, describing it as evidence of Nigerians’ commitment to justice and good governance.
“There is no delay in the process; it is simply following the law to the letter to ensure that only those duly qualified benefit from the President’s mercy. As soon as all legal and procedural checks are concluded, the public will be duly informed. The rule of law does not rush; it ensures fairness,” he stated.
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