Presidency Releases Full List of 175 Nigerians Granted Presidential Pardon and Clemency

The Presidency has released the full list of 175 Nigerians who were recently granted presidential pardon, clemency, or commutation of sentences by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

According to a statement by Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the decision followed the recommendations of the Presidential Advisory Committee on the Prerogative of Mercy, chaired by the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Olasunkanmi Fagbemi.

The committee’s report, presented during the Council of State meeting chaired by the President, recommended a total of 175 beneficiaries. These include two inmates granted pardon, 15 former convicts (11 of whom are deceased), 82 inmates granted clemency, 65 inmates whose sentences were reduced, and seven death row inmates whose sentences were commuted to life imprisonment.

The Presidency stated that most beneficiaries were considered based on demonstrated remorse, good conduct, old age, or participation in educational and vocational programs while in custody. President Tinubu also approved posthumous pardons to correct historical injustices, including those against nationalist Sir Herbert Macaulay and the late Major-General Mamman Jiya Vatsa.

Among the notable names are the late environmental activist Ken Saro-Wiwa and the other eight Ogoni activists executed in 1995, as well as Maryam Sanda, who was sentenced to death in 2020 for culpable homicide. The President also approved sentence reductions for several high-profile convicts, including Professor Magaji Garba and Major S.A. Akubo.

Full List of Beneficiaries

Pardoned

1. Nweke Francis Chibueze, 44 – Life sentence for cocaine trafficking.

2. Dr. Nwogu Peters, 67 – 17-year term for fraud (2013).

3. Mrs. Anastasia Daniel Nwaoba, 63 – Served sentence for fraud.

4. Barr. Hussaini Alhaji Umar, 58 – Fined ₦150 million in ICPC case (2023).

5. Ayinla Saadu Alanamu, 63 – Seven-year sentence for bribery (2019).

6. Hon. Farouk M. Lawan, 62 – Five-year sentence for corruption (2021).

Posthumous Pardons

7. Sir Herbert Macaulay – Convicted by British colonial authorities in 1913.

8. Major-General Mamman Jiya Vatsa – Executed in 1986 for alleged coup plot.

Posthumous Pardons: The Ogoni Nine

9. Ken Saro-Wiwa

10. Saturday Dobee

11. Nordu Eawa

12. Daniel Gbooko

13. Paul Levera

14. Felix Nuate

15. Baribor Bera

16. Barinem Kiobel

17. John Kpuine

Victims of the Ogoni Nine Honoured

* Chief Albert Badey

* Chief Edward Kobaru

* Chief Samuel Orage

* Chief Theophilus Orage

Presidential Clemency

Granted to inmates who showed remorse, good behaviour, or learned vocational skills.

(82 names in total, including those convicted of drug offences, unlawful mining, fraud, human trafficking, and other crimes. Among them were elderly inmates and those with health challenges.)

Notable among these are:

* Maryam Sanda, 37 – Death sentence commuted due to good conduct and care for her children.

* Ex-Corporal Michael Bawa, 72 – Life sentence for murder, served 20 years.

* Several groups of illegal miners (over 40 individuals) whose sentences were commuted, with Senator Ikra Aliyu Bilbis undertaking responsibility for their rehabilitation.

Sentence Reductions

65 inmates had their prison terms reduced for reasons including remorse, old age, or education.

Some key names include:

* Professor Magaji Garba, 67 – Sentence reduced from 7 to 4 years.

* Major S.A. Akubo, 62 – Life sentence commuted to 20 years.

* Chief Emeka Agbodike, 69 – Sentence reduced from 7 to 3 years.

Kelvin Oniarah Ezigbe and Frank Azuekor – Kidnapping sentences reduced after participation in NOUN programs.

Several foreign nationals convicted of drug-related offences also received reductions.

Death Sentences Commuted to Life Imprisonment

Seven inmates on death row received reprieve:

1. Emmanuel Baba – Culpable homicide (Kuje Custodial Centre).

2. Emmanuel Gladstone – Murder (Katsina Custodial Centre).

3. Moses Ayodele Olurunfemi – Culpable homicide (Katsina).

4. Abubakar Usman – On death row since 2014 (Katsina).

5. Khalifa Umar – Murder (Kano Custodial Centre).

6. Benjamin Ekeze – Armed robbery (Kirikiri, Lagos).

7. Mohammed Umar – Culpable homicide (Onitsha Custodial Centre).

According to Onanuga, the President’s decision reflects his commitment to justice reform, mercy, and second chances for deserving Nigerians who have demonstrated genuine change.