President Bola Tinubu has approved the commutation of sentences for some individuals who were previously granted full pardons, following a review of the earlier approved list of beneficiaries under the presidential prerogative of mercy.
Tinubu’s spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, in a statement, said the review followed consultations with the Council of State and consideration of public opinion.
Onanuga said persons convicted of serious offences such as kidnapping, drug trafficking, human trafficking, fraud, and unlawful possession of firearms were also removed from the initial list.
He added that the decision to alter the list was based on security concerns, sensitivity to victims of crime, and the need to maintain public trust in the justice system.
“Following consultations with the Council of State and public opinion on the matter, the President directed a further review of the initially approved list for consideration in furtherance of the President’s discretionary powers under Section 175(1)(&(2) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
“Consequently, certain persons convicted of serious crimes such as kidnapping, drug-related offences, human trafficking, fraud, unlawful possession of firearms/arms dealing, etc, were deleted from the list. Others who had been hitherto pardoned in the old list had their sentences commuted.
“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, the need to boost the morale of law enforcement agencies and adherence to bilateral obligations. The concept of justice as a three-way traffic for the Accused, the Victim, and the State/Society also guided the review.
“The approved list of eligible beneficiaries has been transmitted to the Nigerian Correctional Service for implementation in line with the duly signed instruments of release.”
The new list of beneficiaries includes:
1. Persons granted pardon
1. Mrs Anastasia Daniel Nwaobia
2. Barr. Hussaini Alhaji Umar
3. Ayinla Saadu Alanamu
4. Hon. Farouk M. Lawan
5. Herbert Macaulay
6. Major General Mamman Jiya Vatsa
7. Ken Saro Wiwa
8. Saturday Dobee
9. Nordu Eawo
10. Daniel Gbooko
11. Paul Levera
12. Felix Nuale
13. Baribor Bera
14. Barinem Kiobel
15. John Kpuine
Persons whose death sentences were commuted to life imprisonment
(1) Emmanuel Baba
(2) Abubakar Usman
(3) Khalifa Umar
(4) Mohammed Umar
Persons granted clemency
1. Oroka Michael Chibueze
2. Adesanya Olufemi Paul
3. Daniel Bodunwa
4. Hamza Abubakar
5. Buhari Sani
6. Mohammed Musa
7. Muharazu Abubakar
8. Ibrahim Yusuf
9. Saad Ahmed Madaki
10. Ex-Corporal Michael Bawa
11. Richard Ayuba
12. Adam Abubakar
13. Emmanuel Yusuf
14. Chinedu Stanley
15. Johnny Ntheru Udor
