Tinubu reviews pardon list, excludes drug, human trafficking, kidnapping convicts
By Paul Ebi
President Bola Tinubu has ordered the removal of persons convicted for kidnapping, drug trafficking, human trafficking, fraud, and unlawful possession of firearms from the list of beneficiaries under the federal government’s prerogative of mercy.
A statement on Wednesday by Bayo Onanuga, special adviser to the president on information and strategy, said Tinubu took the decision “following consultations with the Council of State and public opinion”.
On October 9, Tinubu granted presidential pardon and other forms of clemency to 175 persons, following the approval of the council of state.
Among the 175 beneficiaries are Herbert Macaulay, one of Nigeria’s foremost nationalists; Farouk Lawan, a former member of the house of representatives; and Mamman Vatsa, a major general and poet executed in 1986 over alleged treason.
Drug offenders, illegal miners, white-collar convicts, and foreigners were also among recipients of the presidential pardon.
The list elicited mixed reactions, as some Nigerians argued that some of the beneficiaries should not have been pardoned considering the magnitude of the offence.
One such person granted clemency is Maryam Sanda, the woman who was sentenced to death by hanging for stabbing Bilyamin Mohammed Bello, her husband, to death.
Following the public outrage, Lateef Fagbemi, attorney-general of the federation, said the pardon list would be reviewed and that there are different stages involved in the process.
