ABUJA: President Bola Tinubu on Thursday granted sweeping presidential pardons and clemency to historic national figures, political leaders and dozens of inmates across Nigeria, following the approval of the National Council of State.
Among those pardoned were Major General Mamman Jiya Vatsa, the poet and former Minister executed in 1986 on a treason charge, and nationalist Herbert Macaulay, who was controversially convicted by the British colonial government in 1913. Both men received posthumous pardons that cleared their names decades after their deaths.
The President also granted pardon to the “Ogoni Nine,” including renowned environmental activist Ken Saro-Wiwa, who were executed in 1995 under the Abacha regime. In addition, Tinubu conferred national honours posthumously on the “Ogoni Four” — Chief Albert Badey, Chief Edward Kobani, Chief Samuel Orage, and Theophilus Orage.
Other high-profile beneficiaries include former lawmaker Farouk Lawan; Mrs Anastasia Daniel Nwaobia; Barrister Hussaini Umar; and Ayinla Saadu Alanamu, alongside several convicts serving long-term sentences. Nweke Francis Chibueze, jailed for life over drug offences, and Dr Nwogu Peters, who had served 12 years of a 17-year term for fraud, were also pardoned.
In total, Tinubu granted clemency to 82 inmates, reduced the prison terms of 65 others, and commuted the death sentences of seven inmates to life imprisonment.
The move followed the recommendations of the Presidential Advisory Committee on the Prerogative of Mercy (PACPM), inaugurated earlier this year and chaired by the Attorney General of the Federation, Prince Lateef Fagbemi. The committee considered 294 cases, applying criteria such as old age, terminal illness, good conduct in custody, and demonstrated remorse.
Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said the decision reflected Tinubu’s commitment to justice, rehabilitation, and national reconciliation.
The sweeping pardons mark one of the most far-reaching exercises of presidential clemency since Nigeria’s return to democracy.
