Presidential Pardon Is Irreversible’ — Lawyer Criticizes Tinubu’s Reversal of Clemency

Legal expert Frank Tietie has stated that President Bola Tinubu acted unconstitutionally by attempting to reverse a presidential pardon once it had been lawfully granted. Speaking on Thursday during an interview on ARISE News Channel, Tietie addressed the recent decision to revoke pardons previously extended to several convicts, including Maryam Sanda, a death row inmate whose pardon was later commuted to a 12-year prison sentence.

Tietie emphasized that the act of granting a pardon is an irreversible exercise of constitutional power. “At the time the president first signed the list, it was a complete act that he did not have the power to reverse. It was already accepted,” he said. He added that, once pardoned, the individuals were legally free and the president does not have authority to convict or revoke their clemency.

Highlighting the limitations of presidential powers under the Nigerian Constitution, Tietie noted, “The president is not the judiciary. He cannot exercise judicial powers by saying you are no longer fit for pardon. It is not within his constitutional power.”

Tietie also criticized broader government policies, suggesting a more responsive administration would have reconsidered reforms such as the removal of the fuel subsidy and increased tariffs.

The controversy over Tinubu’s reversal of the state pardon has reignited debates about the scope of presidential powers under Section 175 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), with legal experts questioning the constitutionality of the move.