Rufus Okoro
President Bola Tinubu of Nigeria has made a u-turn, directing the immediate removal of persons convicted of serious crimes, including kidnapping, drug-related offences, human trafficking, fraud, and unlawful possession of firearms/arms dealing, among others, from the presidential pardon list comprising 175 individuals.
A State House release on October 29, 2025, disclosed this development.
It's noteworthy that the presidential pardon list had elicited nationwide criticisms and condemnations over the inclusion of some individuals convicted for drug-related offences, kidnapping, and fraud, among others.
The press release stated that the president, after consultations with the Council of State and public opinion, “directed a further review of the initially approved list for consideration in furtherance of the President’s discretionary powers under Section 175(1)(&(2) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).”
“Consequently, certain persons convicted of serious crimes such as kidnapping, drug-related offences, human trafficking, fraud, unlawful possession of firearms/arms dealing, etc, were deleted from the list. Others who had been hitherto pardoned in the old list had their sentences commuted.
“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 concept of justice as a three-way traffic for the Accused, the Victim, and the State/Society also guided the review.”
The release further revealed that the approved list of eligible beneficiaries has been transmitted to the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS)) for implementation in line with the duly signed instruments of release, under the federal government’s prerogative of mercy.
Tinubu equally reportedly directed the immediate 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, to ensure future exercises meet public expectations and best practices.
He also directed the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) to issue appropriate Guidelines for the Exercise of the Power of Prerogative of Mercy, which includes compulsory consultation with relevant prosecuting agencies.
