President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reviewed and reduced the list of individuals granted presidential pardon and clemency from 175 to 120, following widespread public criticism over the inclusion of persons convicted of serious crimes such as murder, kidnapping, and drug trafficking.
In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the President said the decision was taken after consultations with the Council of State and a reassessment of the process in accordance with Section 175 of the 1999 Constitution.
The review, according to the statement, was aimed at restoring public confidence in the exercise of the President’s constitutional powers of mercy. Individuals convicted of grave offences were removed from the list, while some others had their sentences reduced instead of receiving outright pardons.
Onanuga explained that the President’s action was guided by fairness, justice, and the national interest. He said the revised decision reflected the government’s sensitivity to public opinion and its determination to ensure that the prerogative of mercy remained a tool for justice and rehabilitation, not an avenue to reward wrongdoing.
Among those affected by the review are individuals who demonstrated remorse and good conduct during incarceration. The government said their reduced sentences were based on compassionate considerations, verifiable evidence of reformation, and recommendations from correctional authorities.
The review also retained posthumous pardons for notable figures such as Ken Saro-Wiwa and Herbert Macaulay, in recognition of their contributions to national history.
Reacting to the development, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar criticised the administration, described the reversal as “damage control after public outrage.” He accused the government of acting without due diligence, saying the initial list was “a betrayal of justice.”
However, the All Progressives Congress (APC) defended President Tinubu’s decision, insisted that the review showed strength, responsibility, and respect for public sentiment. The party’s spokesperson in Lagos, Seye Oladejo, said the President’s action was guided by due process and the principles of good governance.
Meanwhile, President Tinubu has ordered the relocation of the Presidential Advisory Committee on Prerogative of Mercy from the Federal Ministry of Special Duties to the Federal Ministry of Justice, as part of broader reforms to strengthen the clemency process.
The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), said the move would ensure that future exercises are transparent, merit-based, and aligned with national security and social order.
“The goal,” he said, “is to balance justice with compassion and ensure that mercy is extended only to those who truly deserve it.”
