President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the grant of presidential pardons to several notable Nigerians, including posthumous pardons for Major General Mamman Jiya Vatsa and nationalist Herbert Macaulay. The move follows the endorsement of the National Council of State, which convened in Abuja on Thursday.
In a statement issued by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the President also approved clemency for 82 inmates and commuted the death sentences of seven others to life imprisonment.
Major General Mamman Jiya Vatsa, a poet and former Minister, was executed in 1986 following a treason charge under the military regime of General Ibrahim Babangida. President Tinubu’s decision restores Vatsa’s honour nearly four decades after his death.
Similarly, Herbert Macaulay, Nigeria’s foremost nationalist and co-founder of the National Council of Nigeria and the Cameroons (NCNC) alongside Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, received a posthumous pardon. Macaulay, who was unjustly convicted by the British colonial government in 1913 and barred from public office, now has his name fully cleared 79 years after his death.
President Tinubu also extended pardons to Farouk Lawan, former House of Representatives member; Mrs. Anastasia Daniel Nwaobia; Barrister Hussaini Umar; and Ayinla Saadu Alanamu, citing their remorse and commitment to reintegration into society. Other beneficiaries include Nweke Francis Chibueze, serving a life sentence for drug-related offences, and Dr. Nwogu Peters, who has served 12 of his 17-year sentence for fraud.
In a historic gesture, President Tinubu also granted posthumous pardons to the Ogoni Nine—Ken Saro-Wiwa, Saturday Dobee, Nordu Eawo, Daniel Gbooko, Paul Levera, Felix Nuate, Baribor Bera, Barinem Kiobel, and John Kpuine. Additionally, the Ogoni Four—Chief Albert Badey, Chief Edward Kobani, Chief Samuel Orage, and Theophilus Orage—were honoured with national awards for their contributions to justice and human rights.
The President acted upon the recommendations of the Presidential Advisory Committee on the Prerogative of Mercy (PACPM), chaired by Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi (SAN). The 12-member committee includes legal luminaries, academics, religious representatives, and institutional delegates from the Nigeria Police Force, Nigerian Correctional Service, and the National Human Rights Commission, among others.
The committee’s report indicated that a total of 294 applications were reviewed, leading to 175 recommendations—comprising 82 clemencies, 2 pardons, 65 sentence reductions, and 7 commutations from death to life imprisonment.
According to the report, the selection criteria included old age (60 years and above), terminal illness, youthfulness (16 years and below), long-term service with good conduct, and evidence of vocational rehabilitation or remorse.
The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, inaugurated the committee on January 15, 2025, as part of efforts to promote justice reform, rehabilitation, and respect for human rights.
President Tinubu’s latest exercise of constitutional mercy underscores his administration’s commitment to justice, national healing, and the reaffirmation of historical truth.