Presidential Pardon: AGF Explains Why Maryam Sanda, 85 Others Received Reduced Sentences

The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), on Wednesday clarified why President Bola Tinubu reviewed the initial list of 175 convicts slated for presidential pardon.

According to Fagbemi, the review was necessary to ensure that only convicts who met the required legal and procedural standards benefited from the presidential prerogative of mercy.

“The exercise has now been completed with a final list of beneficiaries approved by the President,” the AGF said in a statement. “During this final review, a few individuals previously recommended were found not to meet the necessary requirements and were delisted, while in other cases, sentences were reviewed and reduced to reflect fairness, justice, and the spirit of the exercise.”

The final list shows that 86 convicts had their sentences reduced. Among them is Maryam Sanda, daughter-in-law of a former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chairman. Maryam, who was sentenced to death by hanging in January 2020 for stabbing her husband to death in 2017, had her sentence reduced to 12 years. The decision considered her good conduct, remorse, new lifestyle, and the welfare of her children.

Other beneficiaries included:

Chukwukelu Sunday Calistus – life sentence for drug offences reduced to 20 years after 11 years in prison.

Yusuf Owolabi – life sentence for manslaughter reduced to 15 years after 10 years served.

Ifeanyi Eze – life sentence for manslaughter reduced to 15 years after four years served.

Mallam Ibrahim Sulaiman – life sentence for armed robbery and illegal firearm possession reduced to 15 years after two years served.

Samson Ajayi – 15-year term reduced to 10 years.

Alhaji Abubakar Tanko – 30-year sentence for culpable homicide reduced to 20 years after seven years served.

Nnamdi Anene – life sentence for illegal arms dealing reduced to 20 years.

Other beneficiaries were convicted for lesser offences, including unlawful mining, forgery, fraud, possession of cannabis, conspiracy to hijack vessels, and criminal breach of trust. Most were commended for good conduct, vocational skill acquisition, and educational improvements while in prison.

In separate lists, 15 convicts were granted clemency, while four death sentences were commuted to life imprisonment. Notable names included Saro Wiwa and Herbert Macaulay.

Fagbemi emphasized that the review reflected President Tinubu’s commitment to balancing justice with compassion, promoting reform, and supporting humane correctional practices aligned with international standards.

“The President has directed the relocation of the Secretariat of the Presidential Advisory Committee on Prerogative of Mercy to the Federal Ministry of Justice and instructed the AGF to issue guidelines for future exercises, including mandatory consultation with prosecuting agencies,” Fagbemi said.

He concluded by assuring Nigerians that the government remains committed to a justice system that upholds human dignity while safeguarding national security and social order.