From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
In a significant exercise of his constitutional power, President Bola Tinubu on Thursday granted pardons and clemency to a wide range of Nigerians, including prominent historical figures and former legislators, while also reducing sentences of numerous inmates across the country.
In a statement issued by Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, Major General Mamman Jiya Vatsa, who was executed in 1986 following a treason conviction, received a posthumous pardon. Vatsa, remembered as a poet and military officer, was among 17 individuals granted pardons after the National Council of State endorsed the Presidential Advisory Committee on the Prerogative of Mercy’s (PACPM) recommendations in a meeting held in Abuja.
Also honoured posthumously was Herbert Macaulay, a Nigerian nationalist and co-founder of the National Council of Nigeria and the Cameroons (NCNC), alongside Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe. Macaulay, the party’s first president, played a foundational role in Nigeria’s independence movement but was unjustly convicted by British colonial authorities in 1913 and banned from public office. President Tinubu’s pardon today symbolically clears the blemish on Macaulay’s record more than a century later.
Four notable former convicts received presidential pardons to facilitate their reintegration into society. These are former House of Representatives member Farouk Lawan, Anastasia Nwaobia, Hussaini Umar, and Ayinla Alanamu. The clemency was granted as they have shown remorse and reformed. Additionally, Nweke Francis Chibueze, serving life for cocaine trafficking, was pardoned as well as Nwogu Peters, who served 12 years of a 17-year sentence for fraud.
The President also formally pardoned the Ogoni Nine—Ken Saro Wiwa, Saturday Dobee, Nordu Eawo, Daniel Gbooko, Paul Levera, Felix Nuate, Baribor Bera, Barinem Kiobel, and John Kpuine—whose deaths sparked international outcry over human rights abuses.
National honours were conferred on the Ogoni Four—Chief Albert Badey, Chief Edward Kobani, Chief Samuel Orage, and Theophilus Orage—recognising their contributions and sacrifices.
In total, President Tinubu granted clemency to 82 inmates, reduced sentences for 65 prisoners, and commuted death sentences of seven inmates to life imprisonment.
The recommendations came from the 12-member Presidential Advisory Committee on the Prerogative of Mercy chaired by Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi. Other members include high-ranking officials from the judiciary, Nigerian Police Force, Nigerian Correctional Service, National Human Rights Commission, and religious bodies such as the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) and Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN).
According to the committee’s report to the Council of State, “A total of 175 inmates were interviewed, and 62 applications were received on behalf of 119 inmates considered, totalling 294. Of the inmates interviewed, 160 were male and 15 were female. Eighty-two were recommended for clemency; two for pardon; 65 for sentence reduction; and seven death row inmates had their sentences commuted to life imprisonment.”
The committee outlined its criteria for recommendations as including old age (60+), terminal illness, youth (16 years or below), long-term incarceration of 10+ years with good conduct, vocational rehabilitation, and demonstrated remorse.
Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, inaugurated the PACPM on January 15, 2025, heralding the President’s commitment to justice reform, prisoner rehabilitation, and human rights protections in Nigeria.
The statement stated, “This exercise marks a historic moment in the Nigerian justice system, reconciling past injustices and fostering societal reintegration for reformed citizens.”
