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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has granted posthumous pardons to several notable historical and contemporary figures, including Nigerian nationalist Herbert Macaulay, Major-General Mamman Vatsa, and the Ogoni Nine, who were executed in 1995 during the military regime of the late General Sani Abacha.
The president also extended clemency to 82 inmates nationwide and approved national honours for 959 Nigerians and foreigners in recognition of their service and contributions to national development.
Herbert Macaulay, who co-founded the National Council of Nigeria and the Cameroons (NCNC) alongside Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe, was unjustly convicted by the British colonial authorities in 1913 and banned from public service. Although he died in 1946, his conviction remained on record until now.
Likewise, Major-General Mamman Vatsa, a poet and military officer executed in 1986 over an alleged coup plot, was among 17 individuals who received presidential pardons following the endorsement of the National Council of State, which convened in Abuja on Thursday.
Others who were granted pardons include Farouk Lawan, a former member of the House of Representatives; Mrs Anastasia Daniel Nwaobia; Hussaini Umar; and Ayinla Saadu Alanamu.
According to presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga, in a statement released late Thursday, the gesture followed the recommendations of the Presidential Advisory Committee on the Prerogative of Mercy (PACPM), chaired by the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi (SAN).
The statement explained that the clemency was granted “to enable the beneficiaries to reintegrate into society, having demonstrated sufficient remorse.” Among those pardoned were Nweke Francis Chibueze, who was serving a life sentence for drug trafficking, and Dr Nwogu Peters, who had served 12 of a 17-year sentence for fraud.
The Ogoni Nine — Ken Saro-Wiwa, Saturday Dobee, Nordu Eawo, Daniel Gbooko, Paul Levera, Felix Nuate, Baribor Bera, Barinem Kiobel, and John Kpuine — were formally pardoned. In addition, the Ogoni Four — Chief Albert Badey, Chief Edward Kobani, Chief Samuel Orage, and Theophilus Orage — were conferred with posthumous national honours.
According to the statement, “In exercising his constitutional power of mercy, President Tinubu granted clemency to 82 inmates and reduced the prison terms of 65 others. He commuted the death sentences of seven inmates to life imprisonment.”
The PACPM, inaugurated on 15 January 2025 by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, reviewed 294 applications and interviewed 175 inmates across various correctional centres.
Its recommendations were based on factors such as old age, terminal illness, good conduct, and rehabilitation efforts.
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