President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has revoked the presidential pardon earlier granted to 175 convicted criminals, including kidnappers, drug traffickers, and murderers, following a nationwide backlash that trailed the controversial clemency list. The move, announced barely three weeks after public outcry, underscores the administration’s attempt to restore public confidence and address what many Nigerians described as “a miscarriage of justice.”
The President’s decision, communicated through his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, followed extensive consultations with the National Council of State and key justice stakeholders. The statement revealed that names of individuals convicted for grave offences—including kidnapping, human trafficking, arms dealing, and fraud—had been struck off the pardon list.
“This review was undertaken in line with Section 175(1) and (2) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) to reflect fairness, justice, and national security,” Onanuga explained. “The President considered the feelings of victims, the morale of security operatives, and Nigeria’s international obligations before taking this decision.”
The initial pardon list, approved during the October 9, 2025, Council of State meeting, had sparked outrage after it emerged that Maryam Sanda—convicted in 2020 for murdering her husband, Bilyaminu Bello—was among the beneficiaries. The inclusion of Sanda and other notorious criminals drew sharp criticism from civil society groups, lawyers, and citizens who accused the government of insensitivity.
Following the backlash, Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), issued a gazette on October 23, confirming that only 120 names survived the review process. Several high-profile offenders, including Sanda, were either reclassified under reduced sentences or removed entirely.
According to Fagbemi, the revision was a product of due process. “Some individuals initially recommended were found unqualified after further vetting,” he said. “The new list reflects fairness, remorse, and rehabilitation.”
The statement also confirmed the relocation of the Presidential Advisory Committee on Prerogative of Mercy from the Ministry of Special Duties to the Federal Ministry of Justice for better oversight. Tinubu further ordered that new guidelines be established, mandating mandatory consultation with prosecuting agencies before any pardon is granted.
Among the 15 inmates who retained clemency, most were non-violent offenders who had shown good behaviour and completed vocational training. Four death row inmates—Emmanuel Baba, Abubakar Usman, Khalifa Umar, and Mohammed Umar—had their sentences commuted to life imprisonment.
Notably, historic posthumous pardons for national icons such as Major-General Mamman Vatsa, Herbert Macaulay, and the Ogoni Nine were retained as symbolic gestures of justice and national reconciliation.
The decision, however, sparked mixed reactions across the political spectrum. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) described the entire saga as “a national embarrassment,” accusing the Tinubu administration of policy inconsistency and lack of moral direction. The party’s Deputy National Youth Leader, Timothy Osadolor, said the flip-flop exposed the “chaotic and confused nature” of the government.
Similarly, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar berated the President, describing the reversal as “an act of shame” rather than wisdom. “Tinubu only acted after Nigerians shouted loud enough,” Atiku said. “This is not governance—it’s damage control.”
On the other hand, the Labour Party praised the President’s decision to listen to public sentiment. “This shows leadership responsiveness,” said LP spokesperson Tony Akeni, while urging Tinubu to extend such attentiveness to pressing economic and social issues.
Meanwhile, the Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP) dismissed the inclusion of the Ogoni Nine in the revised pardon list as “a political gimmick” to pave the way for renewed oil exploration in Ogoniland. The group demanded that the Federal Government first release the $300 million belonging to the Ogoni people and complete the long-delayed cleanup project.
As the debate rages, legal experts say the incident exposes the need for deeper reforms in Nigeria’s justice and correctional systems. Analysts believe the scandal has become a wake-up call for the Tinubu administration to strengthen the nation’s moral compass, restore trust, and uphold justice—not as a privilege, but as a right owed to every Nigerian.
