The Presidency on Saturday released the comprehensive list of 175 convicts and former convicts granted presidential pardon and clemency by President Bola Tinubu.
The list, which includes high-profile cases, illegal miners, white-collar offenders, and those convicted of capital crimes, underscores what the Presidency described as “the President’s commitment to justice, rehabilitation, and correcting historical wrongs.”
According to a statement issued by presidential spokesman, Mr Bayo Onanuga in Abuja, the Presidential Advisory Committee on the Prerogative of Mercy, chaired by Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Mr Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), recommended the release of two inmates, pardoned 15 former convicts (11 posthumously), granted clemency to 82 inmates, and commuted sentences for 65 others.
Additionally, seven inmates on death row had their sentences reduced to life imprisonment.
Business Post details a breakdown of each category of the crimes that were covered by the president’s leniency.
A review of data accompanying the presidential statement shows that drug-related offences and illegal mining offences accounted for the vast majority of the pardons granted.
According to an infographic released by Biorazi, 40 per cent (70 individuals) of those pardoned were convicted of drug-related crimes, making it the single largest category. This was followed by illegal mining offences, which represented 34 per cent (60 individuals) of the total. Together, these two categories made up nearly three-quarters of all pardons granted, reflecting the government’s recognition of rehabilitation efforts among offenders involved in non-violent but economically disruptive activities.
Financial and white-collar crimes accounted for 17 per cent (30 individuals), while violent or capital offences represented 14 per cent (25 individuals). Other categories such as property hijacking/maritime crimes (6 per cent), arms-related offences (3 per cent), and human trafficking/exploitation (2 per cent) made up smaller fractions of the total
Our analysis show that clemencies were granted to offenders whose crimes were primarily linked to economic hardship or systemic issues, more than purely violent intent.
Among the beneficiaries are several notable figures, including Major General Mamman Jiya Vatsa, posthumously pardoned for an alleged 1986 coup plot, and Ken Saro-Wiwa alongside the Ogoni Eight, who were convicted in the controversial 1995 murder case.
The pardon also extended to Sir Herbert Macaulay, a nationalist wronged by British colonial authorities in 1913 for alleged misappropriation of funds.
“This move corrects long-standing injustices, honoring their contributions to Nigeria’s history,” the statement read.
The statement also highlighted cases of clemency for individuals who demonstrated remorse and reform. Mrs Maryam Sanda, sentenced to death in 2020 for culpable homicide, received clemency after exhibiting good conduct during her six years at the Suleja Medium Security Custodial Centre.
Similarly, former lawmaker, Mr Farouk Lawan, convicted of corrupt practices, and Mr Nwogu Peters, jailed for fraud, were among those pardoned after serving their sentences and showing evidence of rehabilitation.
Many of the 82 inmates who benefited were those convicted of drug trafficking, illegal mining, and financial crimes, who had acquired vocational skills or enrolled in academic programmes such as the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) while serving time.
Examples include Mr Abiodun Elemero, sentenced to life for cocaine trafficking, and Mr Aluagwu Lawrence, jailed for selling Indian hemp, both of whom earned clemency after years of good conduct.
A group of 36 illegal miners, convicted in 2024, also benefited, with Senator Ikra Aliyu Bilbis pledging to support their rehabilitation and empowerment.
The Presidency emphasized that the exercise reflected President Tinubu’s belief in second chances and reformative justice, noting that seven inmates on death row had their sentences commuted to life imprisonment due to good behavior, ill health, or age.
“This gesture reflects the administration’s commitment to justice tempered with mercy, especially for those who have shown genuine remorse and a commitment to reform,” said Mr Onanuga, in the statement.
The pardons, presented during a Council of State meeting chaired by President Tinubu, have been hailed as a bold move toward healing historical wounds, promoting reintegration, and balancing justice with compassion. Critics have also noted that this was part of political play by the president as he seeks a second term come 2027.