By Matthew Dennis, Abuja
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has withdrawn the controversial presidential pardon earlier granted to dozens of convicts found guilty of serious crimes, including drug trafficking, kidnapping, and arms dealing, following mounting public criticism and institutional review.
The decision, announced on Wednesday by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, came after extensive consultations with the Council of State and consideration of public opinion regarding the initial pardon list.
According to Onanuga, President Tinubu, acting under his constitutional powers of prerogative of mercy as provided in Section 175 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), ordered a comprehensive review of the list to align the exercise of mercy with justice and national security priorities.
“Consequently, individuals convicted of serious crimes such as kidnapping, drug related offences, human trafficking, fraud, and unlawful possession of firearms have been removed from the list. Others who were earlier pardoned have had their sentences commuted instead,” the statement read.
The revised list now includes 15 beneficiaries, among them former lawmaker Farouk Lawan and posthumous pardons for national figures such as Herbert Macaulay, Mamman Vatsa, and Ken Saro-Wiwa. Additionally, four convicts who were previously sentenced to death have had their penalties reduced to life imprisonment.
The Presidency emphasized that the review was necessary to uphold public confidence in the justice system, safeguard national security, and respect victims of crime.
In a further step to strengthen transparency and accountability, President Tinubu has relocated the Secretariat of the Presidential Advisory Committee on Prerogative of Mercy from the Ministry of Special Duties to the Federal Ministry of Justice.
The move, the statement noted, will ensure tighter institutional oversight of future pardon processes.
Additionally, the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) has been directed to draft new operational guidelines mandating consultation with relevant law enforcement and prosecuting agencies before any pardon is approved.
“Only persons who fully meet the stipulated legal and procedural requirements will henceforth benefit from the issuance of instruments of release,” Onanuga added.
President Tinubu thanked Nigerians for their vigilance and constructive feedback, reiterating his administration’s commitment to fairness, justice reform, and accountability within the nation’s criminal justice system.