Tinubu bows to pressure, cancels pardon for drug offenders, kidnappers, others

President Bola Tinubu has cancelled the pardon he earlier granted to dozens of convicts involved in serious crimes such as drug trafficking, kidnapping, and arms dealing.

The decision followed widespread outrage from citizens who questioned the initial approval of pardons for individuals convicted of such grave offences.

Presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga confirmed the development in a statement released on Wednesday. He said the President’s decision came after “consultations with the Council of State and public opinion on the matter.”

Mr. Onanuga noted that the President ordered a thorough review of the previously approved list, acting under his powers provided by Section 175 of the 1999 Constitution.

“Consequently, certain persons convicted of serious crimes such as kidnapping, drug-related offences, human trafficking, fraud, unlawful possession of firearms/arms dealing, etc, were deleted from the list. Others who had been hitherto pardoned in the old list had their sentences commuted,” the statement read.

According to Mr. Onanuga, the new list approved by President Tinubu now includes 15 beneficiaries, among them former lawmaker Farouk Lawan and the late activists Herbert Macaulay, Mamman Vatsa, and Ken Saro-Wiwa. Four individuals who were previously sentenced to death had their punishments changed to life imprisonment.

The presidency notes that the review was carried out to protect public safety, respect victims of crimes, and maintain confidence in the justice system. The President also directed the relocation of the Secretariat of the Presidential Advisory Committee on Prerogative of Mercy from the Ministry of Special Duties to the Ministry of Justice, ensuring stricter oversight in future exercises.

Furthermore, the Attorney-General of the Federation has been instructed to prepare new guidelines that would require consultation with relevant prosecuting agencies before any pardon is granted. Mr. Onanuga noted that this measure would ensure that “only persons who fully meet the stipulated legal and procedural requirements will henceforth benefit from the issuance of instruments of release.”

President Tinubu appreciated the public for their feedback and restated his commitment to strengthening judicial reforms and fairness within Nigeria’s justice system.