President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved a new list of individuals to benefit from the federal government’s clemency and presidential pardon programme — with convicted murderer Maryam Sanda notably missing from the list.

The announcement was made on Wednesday through a statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, confirming that the approval followed careful review and consultations with the Council of State in line with Section 175 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

According to the statement, the latest exercise was aimed at balancing justice with compassion, while also safeguarding national security and the rights of victims.

The Presidency clarified that offenders convicted of grave crimes — including kidnapping, human trafficking, drug offences, fraud, and illegal possession of firearms were deliberately excluded from the clemency list.

Among those granted presidential pardon under the Instrument of Presidential Prerogative of Mercy (Grant of Pardon) 2025 are: Mrs. Anastasia Daniel Nwaobia, Barr. Hussaini Alhaji Umar, Ayinla Saadu Alanamu, Hon. Farouk M. Lawan, Herbert Macaulay, Major-General Mamman Jiya Vatsa, and Ken Saro-Wiwa, along with others linked to the Ogoni Nine case — Saturday Dobee, Nordu Eawo, Daniel Gbooko, Paul Levera, Felix Nuale, Baribor Bera, Barinem Kiobel, and John Kpuine.

Additionally, four convicts who were on death row — Emmanuel Baba, Abubakar Usman, Khalifa Umar, and Mohammed Umar — had their sentences commuted to life imprisonment under the Instrument of Presidential Prerogative of Mercy (Commutation of Death Sentence to Life Imprisonment) 2025.

The Presidency described the clemency exercise as part of President Tinubu’s ongoing commitment to judicial reform and a fairer criminal justice system.

“President Tinubu appreciates the constructive feedback from the public and stakeholders and reaffirms his administration’s commitment to upholding justice while tempering it with mercy,” the statement concluded.