Abuja, Nigeria, Thursday, October 10, 2025
In a historic and compassionate act of justice, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Thursday granted clemency, pardons, and sentence commutations to a total of 175 convicts and former convicts across Nigeria. The list of beneficiaries includes illegal miners, white-collar criminals, remorseful drug offenders, foreigners, and notable historical figures such as Major General Mamman Jiya Vatsa, Major Akubo, Professor Magaji Garba, and the renowned Ogoni Nine—among them Ken Saro Wiwa and other members of the Ogoni Eight.
This unprecedented presidential act of mercy comes after extensive recommendations and reports from the Presidential Advisory Committee on the Prerogative of Mercy, chaired by the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Olasunkanmi Fagbemi. The committee’s findings were presented at the Council of State meeting, presided over by President Tinubu himself.
Basis for Clemency
President Tinubu granted clemency to most of the convicts after reports confirmed that they had demonstrated remorse and maintained good conduct during incarceration. Other considerations included old age, acquisition of vocational skills, and enrollment in the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN). Additionally, the President took the historic step of correcting past injustices by granting a posthumous pardon to Sir Herbert Macaulay, a founding father of Nigerian nationalism, who had been unjustly convicted by British colonial authorities.
The clemency covers:
• Pardon for two inmates and 15 former convicts (11 deceased)
• Clemency for 82 inmates
• Commutation of sentences for 65 inmates
• Reprieve for seven inmates on death row, whose sentences were commuted to life imprisonment
Notable Pardons and Posthumous Recognitions
• Sir Herbert Macaulay – Posthumously pardoned for a colonial-era conviction of misappropriation.
• Major-General Mamman Jiya Vatsa – Posthumous pardon for treason, related to a 1986 coup allegation.
• The Ogoni Nine – Including Ken Saro Wiwa and eight others, all posthumously pardoned for murder convictions in one of Nigeria’s most controversial trials.
Presidential Clemency Highlights
Among the clemency beneficiaries are numerous individuals convicted of drug-related offenses, white-collar crimes, and illegal mining activities. Many have shown remorse, acquired vocational skills, or otherwise demonstrated reform.
• Illegal Miners: Several individuals convicted of unlawful mining received clemency, with a special undertaking from Senator Ikra Aliyu Bilbis for their rehabilitation and empowerment.
• Capital Offenders: Maryam Sanda, sentenced to death for culpable homicide, was pardoned after serving over six years and showing exemplary conduct.
• White-collar criminals: Several fraudsters and corrupt officials were pardoned or had their sentences commuted, including former lawmakers and public officials.
Sentence Reductions
The President also approved reduced sentences for many inmates based on good behavior, old age, health concerns, and educational pursuits. The reductions apply to a broad range of offenses including drug trafficking, manslaughter, kidnapping, culpable homicide, and corruption.
Conclusion
This presidential pardon and clemency initiative demonstrates a balanced approach to justice—acknowledging the need for accountability while embracing rehabilitation, mercy, and national reconciliation. President Tinubu’s action aligns with Nigeria’s broader goals of restorative justice and social reintegration, offering hope to many families and communities across the nation.
