Amanze Chinonye
President Tinubu has approved a sweeping presidential pardon for 175 individuals, including Nigerian nationalist Herbert Macaulay, former FCT Minister Major General Mamman Jiya Vatsa, and former lawmaker Farouk Lawan, following the endorsement of the National Council of State at its meeting on Thursday in Abuja.
The decision, announced through a State House press release signed by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, reflects Tinubu’s exercise of constitutional powers of mercy and his administration’s ongoing commitment to justice reform and restorative reconciliation.
According to the statement, Mamman Vatsa, executed in 1986 following a treason conviction, received a posthumous pardon nearly four decades after his death.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelPresident Tinubu also extended a similar gesture to Herbert Macaulay, revered as a founding father of Nigerian nationalism and co-founder, alongside Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, of the National Council of Nigeria and the Cameroons (NCNC).
Macaulay, who died in 1946, had been convicted in 1913 by the British colonial government and banned from holding public office a conviction historians have long described as politically motivated. “The stigma of being an ex-convict was not exorcised from his records until now,” the statement noted.
Also pardoned were Farouk Lawan, former member of the House of Representatives; Mrs Anastasia Daniel Nwaobia, Barrister Hussaini Umar, and Ayinla Saadu Alanamu, all of whom were described as having “demonstrated sufficient remorse” and readiness for societal reintegration.
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In addition, the President granted clemency to 82 inmates, reduced the sentences of 65 others, and commuted the death sentences of seven inmates to life imprisonment.
The statement further confirmed that Nweke Francis Chibueze, serving a life sentence for drug-related offences, and Dr Nwogu Peters, who had completed 12 of a 17-year sentence for fraud, were among those granted pardons.
In a major symbolic gesture, the President also formally pardoned the Ogoni Nine including Ken Saro-Wiwa, Baribor Bera, and Barinem Kiobel and conferred national honours on the Ogoni Four: Chief Albert Badey, Chief Edward Kobani, Chief Samuel Orage, and Theophilus Orage.
President Tinubu acted on the recommendations of the Presidential Advisory Committee on the Prerogative of Mercy (PACPM), chaired by the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi (SAN). Other members include Chief Akinlolu Olujinmi (CON), Prof. Alkasum Abba, Prof. Nike Y. Sidikat Ijaiya, Justice Augustine B. Utsaha, and the Committee Secretary, Dr Onwusoro Maduka.
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Institutional members of the committee are drawn from the Nigeria Police Force, Nigerian Correctional Service, National Human Rights Commission, Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), and the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN).
The PACPM evaluated 294 applications from inmates and ex-convicts nationwide. Out of this number, 82 inmates were recommended for clemency, 65 for sentence reduction, seven on death row for commutation to life imprisonment, and 15 ex-convicts including 11 deceased persons such as the Ogoni Nine for presidential pardon.
The committee’s criteria for recommendation included old age (60 years and above), terminal illness, long-term incarceration with good conduct, and demonstrable remorse and rehabilitation.
The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, inaugurated the PACPM on January 15, 2025, as part of President Tinubu’s broader effort to promote justice, rehabilitation, and human rights.
The Presidency said the exercise was aimed at “correcting historical injustices, promoting national healing, and granting deserving individuals a second chance.”
Amanze Chinonye is a rising star in the literary world, weaving captivating stories that transport readers to the vibrant landscapes of Nigeria. With a unique voice that blends tradition with modernity, 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 Nigerian life, from the bustling markets of Lagos to the quiet villages of the 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.
