Amanze Chinonye
President Bola Tinubu has formally exercised his constitutional powers of prerogative of mercy, granting pardons, clemency, and commutations to selected individuals across the country under the Instrument of Presidential Prerogative of Mercy, 2025, signed on October 21 and announced publicly on October 29, 2025.
The updated clemency list, obtained by Prime Business Africa, reflects a major revision of earlier proposals following consultations with the Council of State and strong public feedback. The list includes historic pardons for prominent Nigerians and deceased national figures, alongside sentence reductions for others.
Under the Instrument of Presidential Prerogative of Mercy (Grant of Pardon), 2025, President Tinubu granted full pardons to 15 individuals, including late nationalist Herbert Macaulay, literary icon and activist Ken Saro-Wiwa, Major General Mamman Jiya Vatsa, and several others involved in the 1995 Ogoni crisis – Baribor Bera, Saturday Dobee, Nordu Eawo, Daniel Gbooko, Barinem Kiobel, Paul Levera, Felix Nuale, and John Kpuine. Others pardoned include Hon. Farouk Lawan, Barr. Hussaini Alhaji Umar, Ayinla Saadu Alanamu, and Mrs. Anastasia Daniel Nwaobia.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelIn a separate instrument titled the Instrument of Presidential Prerogative of Mercy (Commutation of Death Sentence to Life Imprisonment), 2025, Tinubu commuted the death sentences of four inmates – Emmanuel Baba, Abubakar Usman, Khalifa Umar, and Mohammed Umar – to life imprisonment, Prime Business Africa reports.
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175 Convicts Granted Presidential Clemency by Tinubu (See Full List)
The President also signed the Instrument of Presidential Prerogative of Mercy (Grant of Clemency), 2025, granting clemency to 15 other persons, including 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, and Johnny Ntheru Udor.
In addition, President Tinubu commuted the death sentence of Maryam Sanda, convicted for culpable homicide in 2019, to 12 years’ imprisonment.
A statement issued by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said the revisions were made after a comprehensive review of the earlier list to ensure fairness, justice, and national security.
Convicts of serious offences such as kidnapping, drug trafficking, human trafficking, and unlawful arms possession were excluded from the final approval.
According to the Presidency, the move was guided by the principles of justice, rehabilitation, and public safety, ensuring sensitivity to victims and adherence to Nigeria’s bilateral and international obligations.
To institutionalize transparency, the President directed the 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.
The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, has also been mandated to issue new guidelines for the exercise of presidential mercy, requiring mandatory consultation with prosecuting agencies before recommendations are approved.
Fagbemi described the reform as “a necessary balance between compassion, justice, and national security,” adding that future clemency exercises would strictly adhere to legal and procedural standards.
President Tinubu expressed appreciation for public engagement in the review process and reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to broader judicial and penal system reforms aimed at improving justice delivery in Nigeria.
Amanze Chinonye is a Staff Correspondent at Prime Business Africa, a rising star in the literary world, weaving captivating stories that transport readers to the vibrant landscapes of Nigeria and the rest of Africa. With a unique voice that blends with the newspaper's tradition and style, Chinonye's writing is a masterful exploration of the human condition, delving into themes of identity, culture, and social justice. Through her words, Chinonye paints vivid portraits of everyday African life, from the bustling markets of Nigeria's Lagos to the quiet villages of South Africa's countryside . With a keen eye for detail and a deep understanding of the complexities of Nigerian society, Chinonye's writing is both a testament to the country's rich cultural heritage and a powerful call to action for a brighter future. As a writer, Chinonye is a true storyteller, using her dexterity to educate, inspire, and uplift readers around the world.
