ABUJA: The Federal Government has approved and released the final list of beneficiaries of the Presidential Prerogative of Mercy after President Bola Tinubu ordered a comprehensive review that led to the exclusion of convicts of kidnapping, drug trafficking, human trafficking, fraud, and unlawful possession of firearms.
The review followed wide consultations with the Council of State and growing public concern over the initial recommendations. Acting under Section 175 (1) and (2) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), President Tinubu directed that only offenders who met the stipulated legal and procedural standards should benefit from the exercise.
Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), who disclosed this on Wednesday in Abuja, said the review was guided by fairness, due process, and the spirit of compassion underlying the presidential power of mercy.
“This exercise is to ensure that only persons who meet the stipulated legal and procedural requirements would benefit from the prerogative of mercy,” Fagbemi stated.
“During this final review, few persons earlier recommended were found not to have met the necessary requirements and were accordingly delisted. In some other cases, sentences were reviewed and reduced to reflect fairness, justice, and the spirit of the exercise.”
He said the exercise was carried out with strict adherence to due process and international correctional standards as part of the Tinubu administration’s broader justice reform agenda.
Presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga, in a corresponding statement, confirmed that President Tinubu personally ordered the removal of convicts of serious crimes, emphasising that the decision reflects the government’s sensitivity to victims, national security, and public morality.
“Following consultations with the Council of State and public opinion, the President directed a further review of the initially approved list.
‘Consequently, certain persons convicted of serious crimes such as kidnapping, drug-related offences, human trafficking, fraud, and unlawful possession of firearms were deleted from the list,” Onanuga said.
He explained that the decision was guided by the concept of justice as a “three-way traffic,” to the accused, the victim, and the state and that the action would strengthen law enforcement morale while reinforcing Nigeria’s compliance with international human rights obligations.
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, with instructions to the Attorney-General to issue new operational guidelines for future exercises, including mandatory consultation with prosecuting agencies.
Fagbemi commended Nigerians for their patience and constructive engagement throughout the process, adding that the review demonstrated President Tinubu’s desire to balance justice with compassion and reformative justice.
He said the final list underscores the government’s determination to ensure that justice not only punishes but also reforms, redeems, and upholds human dignity while safeguarding national security and social order.
The approved list, duly signed by the President, has been transmitted to the Nigerian Correctional Service for immediate implementation.
Those granted full presidential pardon include Mrs Anastasia Daniel Nwaobia, Hussaini Alhaji Umar, Ayinla Saadu Alanamu, Farouk M. Lawan, Herbert Macaulay, Major-General Mamman Jiya Vatsa, Ken Saro-Wiwa, Saturday Dobee, Nordu Eawo, Daniel Gbooko, Paul Levera, Felix Nuale, Baribor Bera, Barinem Kiobel, and John Kpuine.
Others include individuals whose death sentences were commuted to life imprisonment, Oroka Michael Chibueze, Adesanya Olufemi Paul, Daniel Bodunwa, Hamza Abubakar, Buhari Sani, Mohammed Musa, Muharazu Abubakar, Ibrahim Yusuf, and Saad Ahmed Madaki.
Also on the list are those whose sentences were reduced in recognition of good conduct and rehabilitation, Yusuf Owolabi, Ifeanyi Eze, Ibrahim Sulaiman, Patrick Mensah, Obi Edwin Chukwu, Tunde Balogun, Lima Pereira, Erick Diego, Uchegbu Emeka Michael, Salawu Adebayo, Napolo Osariemen, Odeyemi Omolara, Dias Santos, Marela Christiana, Alhaji Ibrahim Hameed, Isaac Justina, Aishat Kehinde, Helen Solomon, Okoye Tochukwu, Ugwueze Paul, Mustapha Ahmed, and Abubakar Mamman.
Others include Muhammed Musa, Nnamdi Anene, Alhaji Abubakar Tanko, Innocent Brown Idiong, Iniobong Nuikidem, Ada Audu, Buka Adamu, Chukwukelu Calistus, Markus Yusuf, Samson Ajayi, Rakiya Beida, Jonathan Alatoru, Umanah Ekaette Umanah, Utom Obong, Thompson Udoaka, Jude Saka Ebaragha, Frank Insort Abaka, Sluna Alolo, David Akinseye, Ahmed Toyin, Shobajo Saheed, Adamole Philip, Mathew Masi, Bright Agbedeyi, Babangida Saliu, Adamu Sanni, Abdulkareem Salisu, Abdulaziz Lawal, Abdulrahma Babangida, Muharazu Alidu, Zaharadeen Baliue, Babangida Usman, Zayyanu Abdullahi, Bashir Garuba, Imam Suleman, Abbeb Amisu, Lawani Lurwanu, Yusuf Alhassan, Abdullahi Isah, Zayanu Bello, Habeeb Suleman, Jubria Sahabi, Shefiu Umar, Seidu Abubakar, Haruna Abubakar, Rabiu Seidu, Macha Kuru, Zahradeen Aminu, Nazipi Musa, Abdullahi Musa, and Habibu Safiu.
Fagbemi noted that the inclusion of these beneficiaries represents a compassionate yet cautious approach to justice, ensuring that those who have shown remorse and reformation are given a second chance, while individuals involved in heinous crimes remain excluded in the interest of national security and social justice.
