President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Wednesday, formally executed the constitutional instruments granting pardon, clemency and commutation of sentences to selected individuals, marking a significant exercise of his powers under Section 175 (1) & (2) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
And in response to calls by some Nigerians, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu removed persons convicted of serious crimes such as murder, kidnapping, drug-related offences, human trafficking, fraud and unlawful possession of firearms/arms dealing.
Specifically, the death sentence of husband killer, Maryam Sanda, was reduced to 12 years.
There were a lot of cries from a cross-section of Nigerians who condemned the clemency granted Sanda who killed her husband, Bilyaminu Bello, in November 2017, and got convicted in January 2020.
…Presidency explains
Explaining the decision in a statement issued in Abuja, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Mr Bayo Onanuga, said the exercise followed consultations with the Council of State and a comprehensive review informed by public feedback and national security considerations.
He said the president’s decision was necessary in view of the seriousness and security implications of some of the offences, the need to be sensitive to the feelings of the victims of the crimes and society in general and the need to boost the morale of law enforcement agencies and adherence to bilateral obligations.
“The decision reflects the gravity and security implications of certain offences, the need for sensitivity to victims and society, and the imperative of sustaining the morale of law enforcement agencies,” the statement said.
“Justice, being a three-way traffic for the accused, the victim, and the state, guided the review process,” Onanuga added.
He said the revised list of approved beneficiaries had been transmitted to the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) for implementation in accordance with the signed instruments of release.
…Beneficiaries
The beneficiaries of the 2025 Presidential Prerogative of Mercy, effective October 21, 2025, on commutation of death sentence to life imprisonment are Emmanuel Baba, Abubakar Usman, Khalifa Umar and Mohammed Umar.
Those granted pardon by the president are Mrs. Anastasia Daniel Nwaobia, Hussaini Alhaji Umar, Ayinla Saadu Alanamu, Hon. Farouk M. Lawan, Herbert Macaulay, Major-General Mamman Jiya Vatsa, Ken Saro-Wiwa, Saturday Dobee, Nordu Eawo, Daniel Gbooko, Paul Levera, Felix Nuale, Baribor Bera, Barinem Kiobel and John Kpuine.
Those granted clemency are Oroka Michael Chibueze, Adesanya Olufemi Paul, Daniel Bodunwa, Hamza Abubakar, Buhari Sani, Mohammed Musa, Muharazu Abubakar, Ibrahim Yusuf, Saad Ahmed Madaki, Ex-Corporal Michael Bawa, Richard Ayuba, Adam Abubakar, Emmanuel Yusuf, Chinedu Stanley and Johnny Ntheru Udor.
…New directive
President Tinubu also directed the immediate 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 to align the committee’s operations with best legal and procedural standards.
He further directed the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice to issue comprehensive guidelines governing the exercise of the prerogative of mercy.
“The new framework ensures that only persons who fully meet the stipulated legal and procedural requirements will benefit from the issuance of instruments of release,” the statement said.
President Tinubu expressed appreciation to stakeholders and the general public for their constructive feedback during the review process, stressing that his administration remains committed to broader judicial reforms and the improvement of justice administration across the country.
