Tinubu Tightens Clemency Rules, Grants Fresh Pardons and Moves Mercy Committee to Justice Ministry

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, has formally signed instruments of release granting presidential clemency and pardons to select individuals, completing the exercise of his constitutional powers of prerogative of mercy.

The move follows extensive consultations with the Council of State and a broad review of public opinion, reflecting the President’s commitment to fairness, accountability, and national security in the administration of justice.

In exercising his powers under Section 175(1) and (2) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), President Tinubu ordered a thorough review of the earlier approved list of beneficiaries. As a result, individuals convicted of serious offences such as kidnapping, drug trafficking, human trafficking, fraud, and arms dealing were removed from the list. Others, whose cases warranted leniency, had their sentences commuted.

The Presidency explained that the revision was guided by the need to maintain public confidence in the justice system, consider the feelings of victims, and strengthen the morale of law enforcement agencies. It also aligns with Nigeria’s bilateral obligations and the President’s belief that justice must balance the interests of the accused, the victims, and society.

The updated list of approved beneficiaries has been forwarded to the Nigerian Correctional Service for immediate implementation in accordance with the duly signed instruments of release.

In a move to institutionalize transparency and improve coordination, President Tinubu also directed the 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.

Furthermore, the President has mandated the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice to develop new Guidelines for the Exercise of the Power of Prerogative of Mercy, ensuring that future beneficiaries strictly meet all legal and procedural requirements. The new rules will make consultation with relevant prosecuting agencies compulsory before any recommendation is approved.

President Tinubu expressed appreciation to stakeholders and citizens for their constructive feedback, emphasizing that the reform is part of his administration’s broader agenda to strengthen judicial integrity, promote accountability, and improve justice delivery across Nigeria.

The new full list of those granted clemency by President Tinubu:

Pardons:

1. Mrs Anastasia Daniel Nwaobia
2. Barr. Hussaini Alhaji Umar
3. Ayinla Saadu Alanamu
4. Hon. Farouk M. Lawan
5. Herbert Macaulay
6. Major General Mamman Jiya Vatsa
7. Ken Saro Wiwa
8. Saturday Dobee
9. Nordu Eawo
10. Daniel Gbooko
11. Paul Levera
12. Felix Nuale
13. Baribor Bera
14. Barinem Kiobel
15. John Kpuine

List of individuals whose death sentences have been commuted to life imprisonment:

1. Emmanuel Baba
2. Abubakar Usman
3. Khalifa Umar
4. Mohammed Umar

The list of those granted clemency:

1. Oroka Michael Chibueze
2. Adesanya Olufemi Paul
3. Daniel Bodunwa
4. Hamza Abubakar
5. Buhari Sani
6. Mohammed Musa
7. Muharazu Abubakar
8. Ibrahim Yusuf
9. Saad Ahmed Madaki
10. Ex-Corporal Michael Bawa
11. Richard Ayuba
12. Adam Abubakar
13. Emmanuel Yusuf
14. Chinedu Stanley
15. Johnny Ntheru Udor