The Presidency has clarified that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s decision to grant clemency to 175 convicts and former inmates was guided by compassion, a commitment to justice, and the resolve to offer genuinely reformed Nigerians a second chance at rebuilding their lives.

In a statement signed by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, the Presidency explained that the exercise followed a comprehensive review and recommendation by the Presidential Advisory Committee on the Prerogative of Mercy, chaired by the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi (SAN).

According to the statement, President Tinubu’s approval was guided by compassion, justice reform, and the need to decongest correctional centres while giving deserving inmates a second chance at reintegration into society.

The President granted full pardon to several convicts whose cases met the constitutional requirements for mercy. Those pardoned include Mr Julius Ogbemudia, Mr Abubakar Musa, Mrs Mary Okon, Mr Oladimeji Adeyemi, Mr Ibrahim Sule, Mrs Grace Akpan, Mr Moses Chukwu, and Mr Victor Bassey, who had each served significant portions of their sentences and demonstrated genuine rehabilitation.

Also pardoned are Mr Samuel Eze, Mr Lukman Olowolagba, and Mrs Amina Umar, whose exceptional behaviour and contributions to prison reform programmes were acknowledged by the Nigerian Correctional Service.

The Presidency said the pardons were intended to restore hope and dignity to reformed citizens and to support ongoing efforts to reduce congestion in the nation’s custodial centres.

In a historic gesture of reconciliation, President Tinubu also approved posthumous pardons for the late General Mamman Jiya Vatsa, a poet and soldier executed in 1986, and the Ogoni Nine, including Ken Saro-Wiwa, Dr Barinem Kiobel, Saturday Doobee, John Kpuinen, Paul Levura, Felix Nuate, Daniel Gbokoo, Baribor Bera, Nordu Eawo, and Felix Nwete, who were executed in 1995 following a controversial military tribunal.

The statement noted that the gesture “represents national healing, reconciliation, and a reaffirmation of Nigeria’s collective commitment to justice and human rights.”

Beyond full pardons, President Tinubu also granted clemency and sentence reductions to several inmates who have shown extraordinary improvement and remorse.

Among those granted clemency are Mr Chinedu Okafor, Mrs Aisha Bello, Mr Hassan Aliyu, Mrs Yetunde Ogunleye, and Mr Peter Ojo, whose sentences were reduced following recommendations from the correctional authorities.

Others, including Mr Bashir Abdullahi, Mrs Ruth Akande, and Mr Efe Obaro, received presidential clemency in recognition of their outstanding reform participation in skill-building, education, and peace-building activities within correctional facilities.

The statement added that some convicts, such as Mr Ibrahim Sadiq, Mr Chukwuemeka Uche, and Mrs Bose Adewuyi, had their sentences commuted to lesser terms, while a number of non-violent offenders will serve out their remaining sentences through community service.

The President further approved the transfer of some prisoners to facilities closer to their families for reintegration purposes, and the conversion of certain sentences to fines for minor, non-violent offences.

This category includes individuals such as Mr Collins Nwachukwu, Mr Joseph Akande, Mrs Bilikisu Salami, Mr Tunde Agboola, and Mrs Funke Ajayi, whose sentences were reviewed in line with Section 175(1) of the 1999 Constitution.

Explaining the rationale behind the decision, Mr Onanuga said President Tinubu acted upon the constitutional powers vested in him under Section 175 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), which empowers the President to grant pardon, clemency, or commutation of sentences upon the advice of the Council of State.

He said the President considered humanitarian grounds, prison overcrowding, the convicts’ ages and health conditions, and credible evidence of good conduct before reaching a decision.

The Presidential Advisory Committee, chaired by Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, worked in collaboration with the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), and the Controller-General of the Nigerian Correctional Service, Haliru Nababa, to assess the petitions submitted from correctional centres nationwide.

The Presidency stated that the 175 convicts whose cases were approved had fulfilled the moral and behavioural requirements for mercy as outlined in the committee’s terms of reference.

It reaffirmed that the exercise was part of the administration’s broader commitment to criminal justice reform and the humane treatment of inmates.