Tinubu Orders Review of Controversial Presidential Pardon, Removes Convicts of Serious Crimes

Tinubu Orders Review of Controversial Presidential Pardon, Removes Convicts of Serious Crimes

By Johnson Arua

President Bola Tinubu has ordered a review of the controversial presidential pardon granted to 175 inmates during the National Council of State meeting on October 9, 2025, following public backlash over the inclusion of individuals convicted of grave offences.

In a statement issued Wednesday, the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said several names on the original list — including those jailed for kidnapping, drug offences, human trafficking, fraud, and unlawful firearms possession — had been removed.

“Others who were previously pardoned had their sentences commuted,” he added.

According to the Presidency, the review followed consultations with the Council of State and public feedback, citing the President’s powers under Section 175(1) and (2) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

The statement noted that the decision considered the severity of some offences, security implications, public sentiment, the need to respect victims, and the morale of law enforcement agencies. It added that the concept of justice as “a three-way traffic” — for the accused, the victim, and society — guided the process.

Tinubu’s reversal comes three weeks after widespread outrage trailed the inclusion of Maryam Sanda, sentenced to death in 2020 for killing her husband, Bilyaminu Bello, son of a former PDP national chairman. Her reported clemency drew condemnation from rights groups, victims’ families, and legal advocates, who described the move as a mockery of justice and efforts against gender-based violence.

The Nigerian Bar Association Section on Public Interest and Development Law had also urged the President to withdraw what it called “a grave error of judgment,” warning that pardoning convicted murderers undermines accountability.

As part of broader reforms, the President has directed that the Secretariat of the Presidential Advisory Committee on Prerogative of Mercy be moved from the Ministry of Special Duties to the Federal Ministry of Justice. He also instructed the Attorney-General of the Federation to issue new guidelines requiring mandatory consultation with prosecuting agencies before any recommendation is approved.

Onanuga said the final list of approved beneficiaries has been forwarded to the Nigerian Correctional Service for implementation.

President Tinubu thanked the public for their feedback and reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to judicial reforms and strengthening Nigeria’s justice system.