Tinubu signed the official instruments of clemency and pardons for selected convicts but ordered the exclusion of those convicted of serious crimes
By Titilope Adako
President Bola Tinubu has withdrawn the presidential pardon earlier considered for several high-profile inmates, including Maryam Sanda, who was sentenced to death in 2020 for killing her husband, Bilyaminu Bello.
A statement and official gazette released on Wednesday by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, confirmed that Tinubu signed the official instruments of clemency and pardons for selected convicts but ordered the exclusion of those convicted of serious crimes.
According to the Presidency, convicts involved in murder, kidnapping, armed robbery, drug trafficking, human trafficking, and large-scale fraud were removed from the final list.
Onanuga noted that Sanda’s case was reviewed on compassionate grounds, leading to a commuted sentence of 12 years. Having already served six years and eight months at the Suleja Medium Security Custodial Centre, she will continue to serve the remainder of her new term.
“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, and the need to boost the morale of law enforcement agencies,” the statement read.
The final list of approved beneficiaries, consisting of inmates convicted of lesser offences and those with significant records of reform, has been transmitted to the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) for implementation.
In a related development, Tinubu approved the 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.
He also directed the Attorney-General of the Federation to issue new guidelines for the exercise of presidential mercy. The new rules make it compulsory for the committee to consult with prosecuting agencies such as the EFCC, NDLEA, Police, and DSS before making recommendations.
According to the Presidency, these reforms aim to ensure that only deserving convicts who meet all legal and procedural requirements benefit from future pardons or sentence commutations.
Tinubu emphasised that justice must be seen as a “three-way traffic” involving the accused, the victim, and society, underscoring the importance of balancing compassion with accountability.
“The President remains committed to a justice system that is fair, firm, and transparent — one that upholds the rule of law and ensures that mercy does not amount to impunity,” the statement concluded.
Join us on our WhatsApp Platform @KOIKIMEDIA NEWS YOUR PAGE
KoikiMedia Bringing the World 🌎 Closer to Your Doorstep