Tinubu’s Presidential Pardon Still Under Review, No Inmate Released Yet

The Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, has clarified that the presidential pardon recently announced by President Bola Tinubu is still undergoing administrative review and has not yet resulted in the release of any inmate from custody.

Fagbemi made this known in a statement personally signed on Thursday, noting that the process remains at its final administrative stage and no beneficiary of the clemency has been freed. The clarification comes amid widespread speculation and public debate following President Tinubu’s exercise of the prerogative of mercy earlier this month.

According to the AGF, while the Council of State has already approved the list of individuals and inmates recommended for pardon, further legal and procedural checks are required before the official instruments for their release can be issued.

“It is important to note that the last stage of the exercise, after approval by the Council of State, is the issuance of the instrument for the implementation of the decision concerning each beneficiary,” Fagbemi stated.

He explained that this final stage provides an opportunity for a last review of the list to correct any discrepancies or address remedial concerns before forwarding the document to the Controller-General of the Nigeria Correctional Service for implementation.

The AGF emphasized that the process is part of the government’s commitment to due process, transparency, and accountability in matters of justice and clemency. He added that the verification steps are necessary to ensure that only qualified persons benefit from the President’s act of mercy.

Presidential Pardon and the Beneficiaries

Last week, President Bola Tinubu approved the exercise of the power of prerogative of mercy, granting pardons and clemency to a list of notable Nigerians and inmates across the country. Among those pardoned was Herbert Macaulay, one of Nigeria’s founding fathers, and Major General Mamman Vatsa (retd.), a former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory during the Babangida administration, who was executed in 1986 following a failed coup attempt.

The President also pardoned four former convicts, including Farouk Lawan, a former member of the House of Representatives; Anastasia Daniel Nwaobia; Barrister Hussaini Umar; and Ayinla Saadu Alanamu. According to the presidency, the decision to grant them clemency followed a careful review process and was based on their demonstration of remorse and commitment to reintegrate into society.

Additionally, Nweke Francis Chibueze, who was serving a life sentence for drug-related offences, was granted a presidential pardon, as was Dr Nwogu Peters, who had served 12 out of his 17-year sentence for fraud.

Perhaps the most symbolic part of the exercise was Tinubu’s posthumous pardon of the “Ogoni Nine”, a group of environmental activists led by Ken Saro-Wiwa who were executed in 1995 under the Abacha regime. The President also conferred national honours on four prominent Ogoni figures — Chief Albert Badey, Chief Edward Kobani, Chief Samuel Orage, and Theophilus Orage — who were collectively recognized for their roles in championing justice and environmental advocacy in the Niger Delta.

In total, the President approved clemency for 82 inmates, reduced the prison terms of 65 others, and commuted the death sentences of seven inmates to life imprisonment. The administration described the move as part of ongoing reforms in the correctional system aimed at decongesting prisons and promoting restorative justice.

Public Reactions and Ongoing Review

The announcement of the pardons sparked wide-ranging reactions across Nigeria, with human rights organizations and members of the public questioning some of the inclusions on the list. While some commended the gesture as a symbol of national reconciliation, others urged caution, especially in cases involving corruption convictions.

In response, Amnesty International had earlier called on President Tinubu to reconsider granting pardon to individuals convicted of crimes, arguing that such acts might undermine accountability and public confidence in the justice system.

Also read: Amnesty International Urges Tinubu To Reverse Presidential Pardon

However, Fagbemi reiterated that the process was guided strictly by the Constitution and existing legal procedures. He maintained that no individual would be released until all verifications were completed and the official instruments duly signed.

The AGF’s clarification appears to have calmed initial confusion surrounding the announcement, underscoring the government’s insistence on lawful procedure rather than haste.