Maryam Sanda and her slain husband
An amended list of persons granted pardon in exercise of President Bola Tinubu’s power of prerogative of mercy has been released with notable names of murderers, drug offenders, kidnappers and others missing from the new list.
President Tinubu granted the pardons and clemency to mark Nigeria’s 65th Independence anniversary.
Most conspicuous was that of Maryam Sanda sentenced to death by hanging in 2020 for the premeditated murder of her husband, Bilyaminu Bello whose pardon sparked widespread outrage and condemnation, as well as Kelvin, a notorious kidnapper who killed six security operatives. He was convicted for the kidnap of legal luminary, Professor Mike Ozekhome, a senior advocate of Nigeria.
Policy summersault and reversal of actions and decisions following public outcry have been in the character of the Tinubu administration since inception.
Newsmata.com.ng reports that following sharp criticisms and pressure mounted on the government, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi came out with a statement that the process was not yet completed and that the list was being reviewed.
Tinubu therefore ordered the removal from the initial list names of persons convicted of serious crimes, including kidnapping, drug offences, human trafficking, fraud, and illegal firearms possession or trafficking.
A statement on Wednesday with an attached list signed by presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga confirmed that President Tinubu had signed the instrument of clemency and pardon to give legitimacy to those recommended by the Prerogative of Mercy Committee.
The name of Sanda, whose death sentence was confirmed by the Supreme Court in 2020, was conspicuously missing from the list, among others.
This action, Onanuga’s statement said, became necessary in view of the seriousness and security implications of some of the offences, the need to be sensitive to the feelings of the victims of the crimes and society in general, the need to boost the morale of law enforcement agencies and adherence to bilateral obligations.
The concept of justice as a three-way traffic for the Accused, the Victim, and the State/Society also guided the review, the presidential spokesman posited.
According to him, the approved list of eligible beneficiaries has been transmitted to the Nigerian Correctional Service for implementation in line with the duly signed instruments of release.
Furthermore, to ensure that future exercises meet public expectations and best practices, the President has directed the immediate relocation of the Secretariat of the Presidential Advisory Committee on Prerogative of Mercy from the Federal Ministry of Special Duties to the Federal Ministry of Justice.
President Tinubu also directed the Attorney-General of the Federation to issue appropriate Guidelines for the Exercise of the Power of Prerogative of Mercy, which includes compulsory consultation with relevant prosecuting agencies.
This will ensure that only persons who fully meet the stipulated legal and procedural requirements will henceforth benefit from the issuance of instruments of release.
The President appreciated the constructive feedback and engagement from stakeholders and the general public on this matter.
President Tinubu also reaffirmed his administration’s broader commitment to judicial reforms and improving the administration of justice in Nigeria.
Here under are the press release and the instrument of clemency and pardon
STATE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE
PRESIDENT TINUBU SIGNS INSTRUMENT OF CLEMENCY AND PARDONS, MOVES SECRETARIAT OF PREROGATIVE OF MERCY COMMITTEE TO JUSTICE MINISTRY
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, has executed the relevant instruments of release to complete the process of formally exercising his constitutional power of prerogative of mercy to grant pardon and clemency to specific individuals who were earlier convicted for various offences.
Following consultations with the Council of State and public opinion on the matter, the President directed a further review of the initially approved list for consideration in furtherance of the President’s discretionary powers under Section 175(1)(&(2) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
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.
This action became necessary in view of the seriousness and security implications of some of the offences, the need to be sensitive to the feelings of the victims of the crimes and society in general, the need to boost the morale of law enforcement agencies and adherence to bilateral obligations. The concept of justice as a three-way traffic for the Accused, the Victim, and the State/Society also guided the review.
The approved list of eligible beneficiaries has been transmitted to the Nigerian Correctional Service for implementation in line with the duly signed instruments of release.
Furthermore, to ensure that future exercises meet public expectations and best practices, the President has directed the immediate relocation of the Secretariat of the Presidential Advisory Committee on Prerogative of Mercy from the Federal Ministry of Special Duties to the Federal Ministry of Justice.
President Tinubu also directed the Attorney-General of the Federation to issue appropriate Guidelines for the Exercise of the Power of Prerogative of Mercy, which includes compulsory consultation with relevant prosecuting agencies.
This will ensure that only persons who fully meet the stipulated legal and procedural requirements will henceforth benefit from the issuance of instruments of release.
The President appreciated the constructive feedback and engagement from stakeholders and the general public on this matter.
President Tinubu also reaffirmed his administration’s broader commitment to judicial reforms and improving the administration of justice in Nigeria.
Bayo Onanuga
Special Adviser to the President
(information & Strategy)
Instrument of Presidential Prerogative of Mercy
Here are the names listed for clemency, pardon, and commutation of death sentence to life imprisonment, effective October 21, 2025:
1. Commutation of Death Sentence to Life Imprisonment
Emmanuel Baba
Abubakar Usman
Khalifa Umar
Mohammed Umar
2. Grant of Pardon
Mrs Anastasia Daniel Nwaobia
Barr. Hussaini Alhaji Umar
Ayinla Saadu Alanama
Hon. 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
John Kpuine
3. Grant of Clemency
Oroka Michael Chibueze
Adesanya Olufemi Paul
Daniel Bodunwa
Hamza Abubakar
Buhari Sani
Mohammed Musa
Muharazu Abubakar
Ibrahim Yusuf
Saad Ahmed Madaki
Ex-Corporal Michael Bawa
Richard Ayuba
Adam Abubakar
Emmanuel Yusuf
Chinedu Stanley
Johnny Ntheru Udor