President Bola Tinubu has directed a further review of the initial presidential pardons granted to over 175 convicts. This follows widespread criticisms from stakeholders, including opposition parties, who described the decision as an endorsement of impunity. Acting in response, President Tinubu made the directive after consultations with the Council of State, in line with his discretionary powers under Section 175(1) and (2) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

According to the Presidency, the decision was influenced by “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.” As a result, “certain persons convicted of serious crimes such as kidnapping, drug-related offences, human trafficking, fraud, and unlawful possession of firearms or arms dealing were deleted from the updated list.” The Presidency also clarified that others who had previously been pardoned had their sentences commuted.

Among the high-profile cases affected is that of Maryam Sanda, who was convicted of culpable homicide and sentenced to death by hanging. Her initial full pardon has now been reversed, and her sentence commuted to 12 years imprisonment. Having already spent six years and eight months in custody, Maryam will serve an additional six years based on the reviewed decision made on compassionate grounds. Another case is that of Alex Okubo, a military officer convicted of arms dealing. Okubu’s life sentence had earlier been commuted to 20 years, but his name has now been removed from the list in reflection of the President’s position on the seriousness of offences such as arms dealing.

From the initial 175 beneficiaries, the updated list now includes 116. To prevent similar controversies in the future and “ensure they meet public expectations and best practices,” the President has 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.

President Tinubu also instructed the Attorney-General of the Federation to issue appropriate guidelines for exercising the power of prerogative of mercy, which will include compulsory consultation with relevant prosecuting agencies.