In the second week of October 2025, the presidency shocked Nigerians by releasing the comprehensive list of the 175 individuals who had been granted presidential pardon and clemency by President Bola Tinubu.

It was not necessarily the release of the list that shocked Nigerians; after all, the president exercised his constitutional power under the Prerogative of Mercy. It was the names on the list that left Nigerians dumbfounded.

The list included high-profile cases, illegal miners, white-collar offenders, and those convicted of capital crimes.

Among the beneficiaries were prominent figures such as Major General Mamman Jiya Vatsa, posthumously pardoned for an alleged 1986 coup plot, and Ken Saro-Wiwa, alongside the Ogoni Eight, convicted in a controversial 1995 murder case.

Also, Maryam Sanda, who was sentenced to death in 2020 for culpable homicide, received clemency after demonstrating remorse and good conduct during her six years at the Suleja Medium Security Custodial Centre.

Similarly, former lawmaker Farouk Lawan, convicted of corruption, and Nwogu Peters, jailed for fraud, were among those pardoned after serving their sentences or demonstrating significant reform.

Seven inmates on death row, including Emmanuel Baba and Moses Ayodele Olurunfemi, had their sentences commuted to life imprisonment due to their remorse and positive behaviour.

Others, like Professor Magaji Garba and Major S.A. Akubo, saw their sentences reduced based on factors such as advanced age, ill health, or educational achievements while incarcerated.

Nigerians React: Selective Mercy or Justice?

However, the announcement, which naturally should have been applauded, was greeted with heavy criticism.

A sense of fear hung in the air, as Nigerians wondered whether people were now allowed to commit serious crimes and get away with it simply because they were shielded by a law that allows for presidential mercy.

Nollywood actress, Kemi Afolabi, while reacting to the presidential pardon granted to Maryam Sanda, said, “Do not allow anyone to take your life; guard it with all your being. Be it in marriage, friendship, courtship, or any kind of relationship.”

Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, accused Tinubu of abusing the presidential power of mercy and “undermining the sanctity of justice,” adding that it risks encouraging lawlessness.

Erstwhile Lagos State governorship candidate Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour labelled the decision a “priority mismatch” by the state and raised concerns that the pardon is being used disproportionately for serious offenders rather than minor first-time inmates.

The Legal And Moral Debate

Section 175 of the 1999 Constitution gives the President the Prerogative of Mercy, the power to grant pardons, commute sentences, or remit penalties.

The reason for this power is to ensure that miscarriages of justice are corrected, compassion is shown, and national reconciliation is promoted.

However, many legal practitioners now argue that this power is being politicised and abused.

Human rights lawyer, Inibehe Effiong, called the move “an abuse of constitutional privilege that emboldens criminality” and questioned why individuals convicted of violent crimes and corruption should benefit from presidential mercy.

Also, Femi Falana urged the government to withdraw and re-examine the list of pardonees.

He acknowledged that the President rightly holds the power under Section 175 of the Constitution to grant pardons but argued that the list includes politically exposed persons, drug barons, armed robbers, and others convicted of state offences like culpable homicide.

He asserted that the list appears less about mercy and more about impunity.

History Of Presidential Pardon In Nigeria

Over the years, Nigerian presidents have exercised the presidential power, some to show mercy and others to protect political allies.

In 1975, General Yakubu Gowon pardoned Obafemi Awolowo and other opposition figures who had been previously convicted of treasonable felony.

General Ibrahim Babangida (1986–1990) pardoned Anthony Enahoro, several civil-war-era secessionists, and some coup suspects.

Goodluck Jonathan, in 2013, pardoned former Bayelsa State governor, Diepreye Alamieyeseigha (Jonathan’s political mentor).

In 2022, the late President Muhammadu Buhari granted pardon to Joshua Dariye, former governor of Plateau State, and Jolly Nyame, former governor of Taraba State.

Nyame, who was prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for diverting public funds, was convicted and jailed for 14 years after a trial that lasted 11 years.

Dariye, a former senator representing Plateau Central District, was also sentenced to 14 years in prison in 2018 for N1.126 billion fraud.

All the junior officers jailed for the failed Gideon Orkar coup of 1990 were granted pardon as well.

The history of presidential pardons in Nigeria shows a steady drift from national reconciliation to political rehabilitation.

What was meant to serve as a tool to correct judicial wrongs now seems to have become a shield for power play.

Peter Ameh Questions The Morality Behind The Presidential Pardon List

As the controversy continues to stir public debate, Obidient Coordinator North Central and former National Chairman of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), Peter Ameh, has shared his perspective on the situation.

Speaking in an exclusive interview with Naijaonpoint, Ameh argued that the pardon is a total disregard for Nigeria’s constitutional democracy.

He said, “It is not just about this time. The prerogative of mercy that was granted to the presidency was to be able to use it to correct judicial miscarriage of justice.

“But to carry out such pardon in a way that brazenly desecrates the constitution and our judicial system, you know, it costs a lot of money to go through these trials to get hardened criminals convicted for a person who carry hard drugs into the country.

“So, it is a total sense of disregard and disrespect to the entire gamut of our constitutional democracy.

“So, I think that it is more political and more intentional to be able to favor the interest of those in power or the APC by granting pardon to certain individuals that should not be found in the category of such exercise of the prerogative of mercy that was given to the president.”

How should the government balance mercy with accountability?

Ameh stated, “It should be balanced on the basis of making sure that the moral fabric of our young generation is not tainted by such a level of pardon.

“Because in the process, when young people start to believe that they can carry out heinous crimes on the citizens of this country, and that one day they will get presidential pardon, just as these other persons have gotten. So, it is a wrong example to be given at this moment. And for it to be properly balanced, there are issues of people who steal bread to eat because they were hungry.

“Those who went to the market to take it puff puff because they could no longer survive without eating something.

“Despite what they did, it is a crime under the law, but such level of mercy can be extended to them.

“Not to hardened criminals, because what the president is trying to say is that people like Anini, the armed robber, from Edo State, could have also gotten this level of pardon if he had lived long enough.

“So, this is a challenge that the president must look at the sense of our collectivism, and how to make sure that we are not in any way giving wrong examples to young generations who are struggling day and night to make ends meet, who are doing everything to stay away from crime and drugs.

“So, the balancing is critical that must come with accountability, and that must come with respect for the sanctity of human person.

“What was done in the list that was released was a total disregard to our constitution, total disrespect to morality, and total disrespect to the young people, hard-working young people, who have been forgotten by the government. And despite that government lack of being responsible to their yearnings and aspirations, they have soldier on in a very responsible manner.

“This is not a good example to be shown to our future generation.”

What role do you think we can actively play to hold our leaders accountable for such situations?

He further stated, “First of all, I think the outcry from Nigerians was a big one. And it is a big plus because they felt it and they tried to retract their public list, saying that it’s not the final one.

“But I will tell you one thing for sure. The Attorney General cannot say it’s not the final one when it has passed through the Council of State. So, is he saying that he sent a list to the Council of State to endorse and grant pardon to when it was not fully prepared?

“This is an afterthought because of the level of reaction they got to Nigerians.

“But my point I am trying to make to Nigerians, whether young, whether future generation, whether the young ones, whether the old ones, is that they have allowed themselves to be used without them challenging the decisions of the government. Because people think that to hold the government responsible is to wait for election day. Governance is a precursor to election.

“If a government is not performing, there are other systems and authorities that can be used by citizens by going out to do peaceful protests. Because these are critical, fragile elements to put the government on their toes. To tell them that citizens cannot continue to accommodate their excessive lack of disrespect, the excessive lack of commitment to the development of this country.

“So, citizens must know that disengaging themselves from the gamut of governance and saying don’t mind them, “government Na them get am” is also allowing them the freedom and latitude to undermine the constitution, undermine the principle of justice, undermine the principle that detects and controls governance, and then abuse the trust of the people.

“Their disengagement, their distancing themselves from government is the reason why governments have become so strong, especially in countries like Nigeria. Citizens’ non-participation, non-participatory role in how policies are formed in how policies are implemented or refusal to implement policies that are good for the people, is endangering our collective welfare.

“And it is critical and very germane for citizens to know that the government belongs to the people.

“And if the government belongs to the people, and if the people in government derive their power from the people, then the people outside will have that courage to hold those people in government to account. Because without holding people to account, you will not see transparency in government.

“Because accountability drives transparency. And transparency also helps accountability to thrive. And you can only achieve this when there is citizen participation in governance and societal developmental processes.”

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