A wave of controversy is trailing the recent presidential clemency granted to 175 inmates across Nigeria, as the pardon covers a wide range of serious offences — from drug trafficking and illegal mining to violent crimes, financial fraud, maritime piracy, arms-related offences and human trafficking.
The list, approved under the prerogative of mercy of , cuts across eight categories of crimes, raising widespread debate over the nature of beneficiaries and the message it sends to the criminal justice system.
According to the official breakdown, drug-related offenders account for the largest share — 70 out of 175 pardons (40%) — followed by illegal mining (60), financial and white-collar crimes (30), violent/capital offences (25), property hijacking/maritime crimes (10), arms offences (6), human trafficking (4), and miscellaneous cases (3).
Drug-Related Offences — 70 Pardons (40%)
This category featured some of the heaviest sentences, including life imprisonments and long-term convictions for cocaine and heroin importation, cannabis trafficking, and distribution of controlled substances.
Among those pardoned are:
Nweke Francis Chibueze (life sentence for cocaine),
Abiodun Elemero (life imprisonment for cocaine hawking),
Ifenna Kennechukwu (20 years for cocaine importation, reduced to 12),
Mgbeike Matthew (20 years for 3.1kg of cocaine, reduced to 12),
Patrick Mensah (17 years for drug trafficking, reduced to 11),
Obi Edwin Chukwu, Tunde Balogun, Lima Pereira Erick Diego and Uchegbu Emeka Michael (15 years each for various drug offences),
Salawu Adebayo Samsudeen (15 years, reduced to 10),
Napolo Osariemen (15 years for 2kg Indian hemp),
Odeyemi Omolaram (25 years for drug offences, reduced to 12),
Gabriel Juliet Chidimma, Dias Santos Marcia Christiana, Isaac Justina, Aishat Kehinde and others with sentences ranging between 3 to 10 years for heroin, cocaine, cannabis and Tramadol offences.
Several of these convicts had served a significant portion of their sentences before the clemency was granted. A number of elderly offenders were also among those pardoned.
Illegal Mining Offences — 60 Pardons (34%)
Sixty individuals, most of them young men, were convicted between 2023 and 2024 for unlawful mining activities across several states. Each had received three-year sentences.
Names on the list include Babangida Saliu (35), Adamu Sanni (39), Abdulkarem Salisu (30), Abdulaziz Lawal (18), Abdulrahman Babangida (20), Maharazu Alidu (22), Zaharadeen Baliue (38), Babangida Usman (30), Zayyanu Abdullahi (28), Bashir Garuba (20), Imam Suleman (25), and many others.
Authorities noted that these offenders were considered for pardon following rehabilitation undertakings.
Financial / White-Collar Crimes — 30 Pardons (17%)
This category featured high-profile names and major fraud convictions.
Notable beneficiaries include:
Dr. Nwogu Peters (17 years for fraud, 2013),
Mrs. Anastasia Daniel Nwaoba,
Barr. Hussaini Alhaji Umar (₦150 million ICPC fine, 2023),
Hon. Farouk M. Lawan (5 years for corruption, 2021),
Ayinla Saadu Alanamu (7 years for bribery, 2019),
Rabiu Alhassan Dawaki, Saad Ahmed Madaki (419),
Prince Samuel Peters, Shettima Maaji Arfo, Bukar Adamu (20 years for fraud),
Professor Magaji Garba (7 years for obtaining by false pretence),
Chief Emeka Agbodike, Alh. Nasiru Ogara Adinoyi, Alh. Ibrahim Hameed, and Rakiya Beida.
The list has stirred criticism from civil society groups who argue that releasing such offenders undermines the fight against graft.
Violent / Capital Offences — 25 Pardons (14%)
The most controversial segment of the clemency involves convicts previously sentenced to death or life imprisonment for culpable homicide, armed robbery and related violent crimes.
Among the names are:
(posthumous pardon),
Lina Kusum Wilson (death penalty, 2017),
(death sentence, 2020),
Markus Yusuf, Alh. Abubakar Tanko, Emmanuel Baba, Moses Ayodele Olurunfemi, Mohammed Umar, Khalifa Umar, Yusuf Owolabi, Ifeanyi Eze, John Ibiam, Omoka Aja, and Johnny Ntheru (robbery, life imprisonment).
Most of these sentences were commuted to lesser terms or conditional release.
Property Hijacking / Maritime — 10 Pardons (6%)
Ten convicts serving 12-year sentences and ₦1 million fines for hijacking fishing vessels in 2020 also benefited.
They include Jude Saka Ebaragha, Frank Insort Abaka, Shina Alolo, Joshua Iwiki, David Akinseye, Ahmed Toyin, Shobajo Saheed, Adamole Philip, Mathew Masi, and Bright Agbedeyi.
Their fines were waived, and sentences reduced.
Arms-Related Offences — 6 Pardons (3%)
Notable names here include Dahiru Abdullahi (21 years for illegal arms), Malam Ibrahim Sulaiman (armed robbery with firearms), Abubakar Mamman, Muhammed Bello Musa (10 years each for arms), Nnamdi Anene (life imprisonment for arms dealing), and Major S.A. Akubo (life for illegal arms removal).
Human Trafficking / Exploitation — 4 Pardons (2%)
This category features Vera Daniel Ifork, Patricia Echoe Igninovia, Ife Yusuf, and Oladele Felix — all convicted between 2019 and 2023 for trafficking in persons and exploitation offences.