President Bola Tinubu has revised the list of those granted federal mercy, removing individuals convicted of kidnapping, drug and human trafficking, fraud, and illegal firearms possession. According to a statement issued by Mr Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President, the President made this decision after consulting with the Council of State and considering public
President Bola Tinubu has revised the list of those granted federal mercy, removing individuals convicted of kidnapping, drug and human trafficking, fraud, and illegal firearms possession.
According to a statement issued by Mr Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President, the President made this decision after consulting with the Council of State and considering public opinion on the issue.
According to the statement, the President excluded certain individuals previously proposed for pardon due to the severity of their offences and associated security concerns. Mr. Onanuga further clarified that the President also weighed the importance of respecting the sentiments of crime victims and broader society, as well as the need to support law enforcement morale and maintain compliance with bilateral commitments.
Among the names noted as absent from the list is Ms Sanda, who was convicted by the Federal Capital Territory High Court in 2020 for the murder of her husband, Bilyaminu Bello, the son of former PDP National Chairman Haliru Bello.
The statement fully reads “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, has executed the relevant instruments of release to complete the process of formally exercising his constitutional power of prerogative of mercy to grant pardon and clemency to specific individuals who were earlier convicted for various offences.
“Following consultations with the Council of State and public opinion on the matter, the President directed a further review of the initially approved list for consideration in furtherance of the President’s discretionary powers under Section 175(1) & (2) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
“Consequently, certain persons convicted of serious crimes such as kidnapping, drug-related offences, human trafficking, fraud, unlawful possession of firearms/arms dealing, etc, were deleted from the list. Others who had been hitherto pardoned in the old list had their sentences commuted.
“This action became 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, the need to boost the morale of law enforcement agencies and adherence to bilateral obligations. The concept of justice as a three-way traffic for the Accused, the Victim, and the State/Society also guided the review.
“The approved list of eligible beneficiaries has been transmitted to the Nigerian Correctional Service for implementation in line with the duly signed instruments of release.
“Furthermore, to ensure that future exercises meet public expectations and best practices, the President has 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.
“President Tinubu also directed the Attorney-General of the Federation to issue appropriate Guidelines for the Exercise of the Power of Prerogative of Mercy, which includes compulsory consultation with relevant prosecuting agencies.
“This will ensure that only persons who fully meet the stipulated legal and procedural requirements will henceforth benefit from the issuance of instruments of release.
The President appreciated the constructive feedback and engagement from stakeholders and the public on this matter. President Tinubu also reaffirmed his administration’s broader commitment to judicial reforms and improving the administration of justice in Nigeria.
Background
President Tinubu, on October 9th, 2025, gave the presidential prerogative of mercy in which some 175 individuals were granted pardon and other forms of clemency, following the approval of the Council of State.
The 175 recipients include Herbert Macaulay, one of Nigeria’s leading nationalists; Farouk Lawan, a former member of the House of Representatives; and Mamman Vatsa, a major general and poet who was executed in 1986 for alleged treason.
Maryam Sanda, who was given a death sentence by hanging for fatally stabbing her husband, Bilyamin Mohammed Bello, was another individual whose name was mentioned in the clemency. Other names on the list include people who have been accused of and sentenced to prison for drug trafficking.
The development has elicited mixed reactions from Nigerians, who have criticised the president for issuing a state pardon to some of the recipients, who they believe have committed serious crimes and should not be granted clemency.
A few days later, Lateef Fagbemi, the Minister of Justice and the Attorney General of the Federation, released a statement in which he said that no inmates on the list had been released from prison and that the pardon was still being finalised while the list of beneficiaries was being reviewed.
