The presidency of Nigeria has revised its recent clemency list, with the controversial husband killer, Maryam Sanda being among those reviewed, as President Bola Ahmed Tinubu cited national security, and the victims’ feelings as the reason behind the latest decision.
President Tinubu ordered a major revision of the presidential pardon list, removing individuals convicted of serious violent crimes—including Maryam Sanda, who was convicted of murdering her husband—following widespread public backlash.
According to a statement released on Wednesday, 29th October, by Bayo Onanuga, the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, the Presidency confirmed that President Tinubu had signed the necessary instruments to complete the prerogative of mercy but initiated a thorough review after consultations with the Council of State and in consideration of public opinion.
Recall that PulseinNews earlier reported how several Nigerians both online and offline condemned President Tinubu for his action, with several social media users focusing their criticism on the irrationality of the prerogative pardon to serve its purpose.
Following those public criticism, the revised list now excludes persons found guilty of grave offences such as murder, kidnapping, drug trafficking, human trafficking, fraud, and unlawful possession of firearms. Others who were initially granted full pardons have had their sentences commuted instead.
“The President… ordered a thorough review of the earlier approved list,” the statement read, explaining that the decision was “guided by national security concerns, sensitivity to victims’ families, and the need to maintain public trust in the justice system.”
The Presidency further justified the move based on the seriousness and security implications of some of the offences earlier pardoned, the need to be sensitive to the feelings of the victims of the crimes and society in general, and the need to boost the morale of law enforcement agencies.
The finalized list, forwarded to the Nigerian Correctional Service, detailed a range of clemency measures. Several individuals, including Oroka Michael Chibueze and Ex-Corporal Michael Bawa, were granted full pardons. Meanwhile, four inmates, including Emmanuel Baba and Abubakar Usman, had their death sentences commuted to life imprisonment.
In a significant historical gesture, the President granted posthumous pardons to the late Major General Mamman Jiya Vatsa and environmental activist Ken Saro-Wiwa alongside the other eight members of the Ogoni Nine.
In addition, President Tinubu has directed the relocation of the Secretariat of the Presidential Advisory Committee on the Prerogative of Mercy from the Federal Ministry of Special Duties to the Federal Ministry of Justice.
He also instructed the Attorney-General of the Federation to issue new and stricter guidelines for future pardon exercises. These guidelines will mandate consultation with relevant prosecuting agencies to ensure that only persons who fully meet the stipulated legal and procedural requirements will henceforth benefit from the constitutional arrangement.
“The President appreciated the constructive feedback and engagement from stakeholders and the general public on this matter,” the statement concluded, reaffirming the administration’s “broader commitment to judicial reforms.”