President Bola Tinubu has withdrawn the pardon earlier granted to 175 convicts, including drug traffickers, kidnappers and fraudsters, following public outrage that trailed the initial clemency list released on October 11.

This came as the President ordered a review of the pardon granted at the National Council of State meeting on October 9, 2025.

A statement issued by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said, “Consequently, certain persons convicted of serious crimes such as kidnapping, drug-related offences, human trafficking, fraud, unlawful possession of firearms/arms dealing, were deleted from the list. Others who had been hitherto pardoned in the old list had their sentences commuted.”

According to the Presidency, the decision followed consultations with the Council of State and public feedback, undertaken “in furtherance of the President’s discretionary powers under Section 175(1) and (2) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).”

“This action became necessary in view of the seriousness and security implications of some of the offences, the need to be sensitive to the feelings of the victims of the crimes and society in general, the need to boost the morale of law-enforcement agencies, and adherence to bilateral obligations,” the statement continued.

It further noted that “the concept of justice as a three-way traffic for the Accused, the Victim, and the State/Society also guided the review.”

Tinubu’s reversal comes three weeks after a storm of criticism greeted the inclusion of Maryam Sanda, convicted in 2020 and sentenced to death for killing her husband, Bilyaminu Bello, the son of a former PDP national chairman, on the original pardon list.

About 29.2 per cent of those pardoned had been convicted of drug-related offences, the largest category. Another 24 per cent were sentenced for illegal mining, followed by homicide, corruption, and human trafficking.

The Nigerian Bar Association’s Section on Public Interest and Development Law had urged the President to rescind what it called “a grave error of judgment,” warning that “granting mercy to a convicted murderer sends the wrong signal about accountability and deterrence.”

The Federal Government, through the office of the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), said the earlier is being re-evaluated.

In an official gazette dated October 23, 2025, released by the AGF on Wednesday, the Presidency announced a revised set of instruments reducing the number of beneficiaries from 175 to 120, with several high-profile names, including convicted killer Maryam Sanda, reclassified under reduced terms of imprisonment.

Fagbemi explained that the exercise followed the President’s approval after a due-process review of the initial recommendations presented to him earlier by the Presidential Advisory Committee on Prerogative of Mercy.

He said the review became necessary after the President, upon consultations with the Council of State, received concerns about the initial list of beneficiaries and ordered a reassessment to ensure strict adherence to legal and procedural standards.

“During this final review, a few persons earlier recommended were found not to have met the requirements and were accordingly delisted, while in some other cases, sentences were reviewed and reduced to reflect fairness, justice, and the spirit of the exercise,” Fagbemi stated.

The President also directed the relocation of the Secretariat of the Presidential Advisory Committee on Prerogative of Mercy from the Ministry of Special Duties to the Federal Ministry of Justice.

He also instructed the Attorney-General of the Federation to issue new guidelines for exercising the prerogative of mercy, mandating “compulsory consultation with relevant prosecuting agencies” before any list is approved.

“This will ensure that only persons who fully meet the stipulated legal and procedural requirements will henceforth benefit from the issuance of instruments of release,” the Presidency said, adding that the approved list of eligible beneficiaries has been transmitted to the Nigerian Correctional Service for implementation.

Tinubu, who appreciated the constructive feedback and engagement from stakeholders and the general public, reaffirmed his administration’s broader commitment to judicial reforms and improving the administration of justice in Nigeria.

The review, contained in four separate documents, Pardon, Clemency, Reduced Terms of Imprisonment, and Commutation of Death Sentences, delisted individuals convicted of serious crimes such as drug trafficking, kidnapping, human trafficking and armed robbery from the original roll, while retaining only 15 full pardons largely confined to historic or non-violent cases.

Among those removed are Maryam Sanda, previously marked for a full pardon but now listed under a reduced term of 12 years imprisonment, and several drug convicts whose clemency was withdrawn entirely.

The final Presidential Pardon list contains 15 names, down from 82 previously. It retained four contemporary corruption-related beneficiaries: Anastasia Nwaobia, Hussaini Umar, Ayinla Alanamu and Farouk Lawan, alongside the historic cases of Herbert Macaulay, Maj.-Gen. Mamman Vatsa and the Ogoni Nine activists were executed in 1995.

However, at least 55 recipients, including Nweke Chibueze, Dr. Nwogu Peters, and Abiodun Elemero, no longer appear in any of the four final lists.

The individuals had previously been marked for pardon despite convictions for cocaine importation and fraud.

Fifteen inmates serving various prison terms were granted clemency based on good conduct, remorse, and rehabilitation. They include 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.

The Presidency said these individuals had either completed vocational training or demonstrated exceptional discipline during their incarceration, making them suitable for early release or reduced sentences.

In the category of death sentences commuted to life imprisonment, four inmates: Emmanuel Baba, Abubakar Usman, Khalifa Umar, and Mohammed Umar, were spared the death penalty.

The Presidency explained that their sentences were reduced after a review of their records, which showed consistent good behaviour, remorse, and participation in rehabilitation programmes.

This, it said, aligns with Nigeria’s gradual shift toward restorative justice rather than retributive punishment.

The Presidential Pardon (Grant of Pardon), 2025 category featured 15 names, including four living Nigerians and several posthumous cases regarded as symbolic redress for historical injustices. Among the living beneficiaries are former public officials Mrs. Anastasia Nwaobia, Hussaini Alhaji Umar, Ayinla Saadu Alanamu, and Farouk Lawan, all of whom were convicted for corruption-related offences but have served their sentences. Others on the pardon roll are Herbert Macaulay and Major-General Mamman Jiya Vatsa, both honoured posthumously, as well as the nine executed Ogoni activists: Ken Saro-Wiwa, Saturday Dobee, Nordu Eawo, Daniel Gbooko, Paul Levera, Felix Nuale, Baribor Bera, Barinem Kiobel, and John Kpuine.

Persons granted reduced terms of imprisonment and sentence include: Yusuf Owolabi, convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to life imprisonment, who had served 10 years. His sentence was reduced to 15 years based on educational improvement, remorsefulness, and the acquisition of vocational skills. Ifeanyi Eze, convicted for manslaughter and having served four years of a life sentence, had his term reduced to 15 years based on similar grounds. Malam Ibrahim Sulaiman, convicted of armed robbery and unlawful possession of a firearm, was sentenced to life imprisonment and had served two years and five months. His sentence was reduced to 15 years in recognition of his good conduct and remorse.

Patrick Mensah, Obi Chukwu, Tunde Balogun, Lima Diego, Uchegbu Michael, Salawu Samsudeen, Napolo Osariemen, Odeyemi Omolara, and Dias Santos Christiana, all convicted for drug-related offences, had their sentences reduced on grounds of educational improvement, remorsefulness, acquisition of vocational skills, deportation consideration, and/or old age. Ibrahim Hameed, convicted for obtaining property under false pretence, was sentenced to seven years and had served three years. His sentence was reduced to five years based on remorsefulness and old age.

Isaac Justina, Aishat Kehinde, Helen Solomon, Okoye Tochukwu, and Ugwu Eze Paul, convicted for offences related to cannabis sativa, had their sentences reduced on grounds of remorsefulness and vocational training. Mustapha Ahmed, convicted of criminal breach of trust and sentenced to seven years without an option of fine, had served two years and ten months. His sentence was reduced to five years based on good conduct and remorsefulness.

Abubakar Mamman, sentenced to ten years for possession of firearms (AK-47), had served five years. His sentence was reduced to seven years for good conduct and remorsefulness. Muhammed Bello Musa, sentenced to ten years for possession of firearms, had served five years. His sentence was also reduced to seven years for good conduct. Nnamdi Anene, convicted for illegal dealing in firearms and sentenced to life imprisonment, had served 15 years. His sentence was reduced to 20 years based on remorsefulness, good conduct, and vocational skill acquisition. Abubakar Tanko, convicted of culpable homicide and sentenced to 30 years, had served seven years. His sentence was reduced to 20 years for good conduct and remorsefulness.

Innocent Brown Idiong, convicted for possession of 700 grams of Indian hemp, was sentenced to ten years and had served four years and three months. His sentence was reduced to six years due to remorse and old age. Iniobong Nuikidem, convicted for obtaining money by false pretence and sentenced to eight years, had served three years and four months. Her sentence was reduced to five years in recognition of her remorse. Ada Audu, convicted of fraud and sentenced to seven years, had served two years and seven months. Her sentence was reduced to four years on account of old age and remorsefulness.

Bula Adamu, convicted for advance fee fraud and sentenced to 20 years, had served five years and two months. His sentence was reduced to nine years based on good conduct and remorsefulness. Chukwuelu Sunday Calistus, convicted for drug offences and sentenced to life imprisonment, had his sentence reduced to 20 years for good conduct and remorsefulness. Markus Yusuf, convicted of culpable homicide and sentenced to 13 years, had his sentence reduced to nine years based on ill health. Samson Ajayi, convicted for drug offences and sentenced to 15 years, had his term reduced to ten years based on remorsefulness, vocational training, and good conduct.

Rakiya Bleida, convicted of theft and cheating, was sentenced to seven years without an option of a fine. Her sentence was reduced to five years for good conduct. Jonathan Alatoru, convicted of conspiracy to cheat and sentenced to seven years, will now serve six years due to remorse and age. Seventy-year-old Umana Ekaette Umana, convicted of forgery, was sentenced to ten years. Utom Udoaka, convicted of obtaining money by false pretence and sentenced to seven years, had served four years and two months. Her sentence was reduced to six years on account of remorsefulness and old age. Frank Inshort Abaka, Sluna Aolo, David Akinseye, Ahmed Toyin, Shobojo Saheed, Adamoje Philip, Mathew Masi, Bright Ayedegyi, and Babangida Saliu were all convicted of conspiracy to hijack a fishing vessel and sentenced to 12 years and a N4m fine. Their sentences were reduced to eight years, and the fines were waived in recognition of their remorse and impecuniosity.

Thirty-nine-year-old Adamu Sanni was sentenced to three years’ imprisonment for unlawful misappropriation and had served one year of that sentence. His sentence was reduced to two years based on remorsefulness, good conduct, and an undertaking signed on 2 April 2025 by Senator Ikran Bilbis for rehabilitation and empowerment after release. Thirty-year-old Abdulkareem Salisu was sentenced to three years for unlawful misappropriation and had served one year of that sentence. His term was also reduced to two years on similar grounds.

Abdulaziz Lawal, Abdulrahman Babangida, Muharazu Alidu, Zaharadeen Baliue, Babangida Usman, Zayyanu Abdullahi, Imam Suleman, Abbeeb Amisu, Lawani Lurwanu, Yusuf Alhassan, Abdullahi Isah, Zayanu Bello, Habeeb Suleman, Shefiu Umar, Seidu Abubakar, Haruna Abubakar, Rabiu Seidu, Macha Kuru, Zahraadeen Aminu, Nazipi Musa, Abdullahi Musa, Habibu Safiu, Husseini Sani, Musa Lawali, Suleiman Lawale, Yusuf Iliyasu, Sabiyu Aliyu, Haliru Sani, Shittu Aliyu, Sanusi Aminu, Isiaka Adamu, Mamman Ibrahim, Shaibu Abdullahi, Sanusi Adamu, Sadi Musa, and Haruna Isa, all convicted for unlawful mining, had their sentences reduced on grounds of remorsefulness, good conduct, and undertakings signed on 2 April 2025 by Senator Ikran Bilbis for rehabilitation and empowerment after release.

Reactions have trailed President Bola Tinubu’s withdrawal of pardon for the convicted husband killer, Maryam Sanda, several drug barons, and others whose offences were deemed severe before sentencing.

The presidential pardon had earlier been extended to Maryam Sanda, the woman convicted of killing her husband, Bilyaminu Bello, in 2017. However, the Presidency has now approved a commutation of her death sentence to 12 years’ imprisonment on compassionate grounds.

Sanda’s name appeared in the Reduced Terms of Imprisonment and Sentence List released on Wednesday by the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN. This followed President Tinubu’s directive for a review of the earlier list of 175 persons granted clemency and pardon.

The Presidency confirmed that while Sanda’s initial pardon was revoked during the review process, her sentence was reduced from death by hanging to 12 years’ imprisonment — reflecting what officials described as a “balanced act of mercy and justice”.

According to the gazette, Sanda’s sentence was commuted “based on compassionate grounds, in the best interests of her children and good conduct, having embraced a new lifestyle as a model prisoner showing genuine remorse”.

The document, however, contained a typographical error, listing her name as “Maryam Sunda” instead of “Maryam Sanda”.

Sanda, who has spent six years and eight months in custody at the Suleja Medium Security Custodial Centre, was initially among the 175 convicts and former convicts granted various categories of pardon, clemency and commutation by President Tinubu, following approval by the National Council of State on 9 October 2025.

Her inclusion in the initial list, however, sparked public outrage, with the family of the late Bello and several human rights groups faulting the decision and calling on the President to uphold justice for victims of violent crimes.

Following the backlash, the Presidency directed a comprehensive review of the list to ensure that individuals convicted of serious crimes — including murder, drug trafficking, and kidnapping — were excluded from benefiting from the prerogative of mercy.

A statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, explained that constitutional provisions and public interest guided the President’s action.

“The review became necessary in view of the seriousness and security implications of some of the offences, the need to be sensitive to the feelings of victims and society in general, and the need to boost the morale of law enforcement agencies,” Onanuga stated.

“Justice must be seen as a three-way traffic — for the accused, the victim, and the state.”

With the revision, Sanda’s clemency was downgraded to a sentence reduction rather than a full pardon.

Under the final approved instruments signed by President Tinubu on 21 October 2025, those convicted of serious offences were removed, while others had their sentences commuted or reduced. The Nigerian Correctional Service has been directed to implement the President’s signed orders accordingly.

President Tinubu also 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 was tasked with developing new guidelines for future clemency exercises, including mandatory consultation with prosecuting agencies.

The Presidency reaffirmed its commitment to fairness and judicial reform, stressing that future exercises of mercy will be guided by law, compassion, and public confidence.

“Mercy must never undermine justice,” President Tinubu said. “Our clemency process must reflect conscience and accountability.”

Senior lawyers in the country have said that the review of the clemency granted to inmates by President Bola Tinubu is within the powers conferred upon him by the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

According to them, the Constitution allows the President to grant and review pardons.

“The power to grant pardon by the President, and even to review, cannot be questioned,” they said.

Mr Mohammed Ndarani, SAN, stated that complaints about how the President exercises the powers conferred upon him by the 1999 Constitution regarding presidential pardons are not justified.

According to him, whatever the President does regarding the presidential pardon is within his discretion.

He said: “People are always complaining that the discretion President Bola Ahmed Tinubu exercised was not in line with the law, but in my opinion, these people are mistaken.

The complaints by some Nigerians are not justified because the 1999 Constitution is the grundnorm that binds us together. So, if the President invokes one of its provisions as bestowed upon him by law, how can anyone complain?”

Mr Abdul Balogun, SAN, said the initial presidential pardon and subsequent review were both in order.

He stated: “The President’s power to grant pardon or to review, if necessary, cannot be questioned. The initial pardon and the review are both within the President’s powers, which cannot be taken away from him unless through a constitutional amendment.”

Barrister Paul Omoluabi noted that the presidential prerogative of mercy in Nigeria is a constitutional provision that grants the President considerable discretion.

According to him, there are no constitutional provisions allowing for challenges to the exercise of this power.

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has berated President Bola Tinubu’s administration for reviewing the clemency list following public condemnation, saying the government “thinks after it acts”.

The former Vice President, in a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, said Nigerians had witnessed a government that does not lead but reacts.

“President Bola Tinubu has cancelled his own pardon for drug traffickers, kidnappers, and other hardened criminals — but only after Nigerians shouted loud enough to wake him from his moral slumber.

If the public had kept quiet, would convicted drug lords and kidnappers be walking free today under the President’s blessing? Who thought it was a brilliant idea to reward crime and betray justice? Who signed off on such a national embarrassment?

“These are the questions every Nigerian deserves answers to: Who compiled the list of beneficiaries? What criteria justified freeing kidnappers and drug offenders? Where was the Attorney General when this absurdity was conceived? And why does this government only discover its conscience after Nigerians express outrage?”

According to the former Vice President, this pattern has become too familiar — announcing the unthinkable, watching the country erupt, then hurriedly reverse course as if governance were a game of “trial and error.”

“A presidential pardon is not a social experiment. It is a sacred constitutional power meant to reflect justice, mercy, and national interest — not to reward impunity or test public patience.

How can a government that pardons criminals lecture citizens about morality, order, or discipline? How can a Commander-in-Chief who nearly freed kidnappers claim to be fighting insecurity? This entire episode exposes one bitter truth: Nigeria is being governed without foresight, without empathy, and without shame.

If the President truly means well, let him publish the list of all those who were meant to benefit from this scandal. Let Nigerians see the names, the crimes, and the hands that signed off on this reckless indulgence. Until then, this cancellation is nothing but damage control — too little, too late,” the statement added.