There are strong indications that President Bola Tinubu may remove certain controversial names from the recently approved presidential pardon list presented to the Council of State by the Attorney General of the Federation, Prince Lateef Fagbemi (SAN).
This development follows public criticism over the inclusion of some high profile and violent offenders among those granted clemency by the President.
The presidential pardon, traditionally issued to mark national occasions, is aimed at decongesting correctional centres and promoting national reconciliation. According to the Presidency, the decision was based on recommendations from the Presidential Advisory Committee on the Prerogative of Mercy, chaired by the Attorney General.
The list of beneficiaries was grouped into six categories which include those granted full pardon, posthumous pardon such as the Ogoni Nine, honoured victims of the Ogoni Nine, recipients of presidential clemency, inmates recommended for reduced prison terms, and death row inmates whose sentences were commuted to life imprisonment.
The inclusion of certain names has, however, triggered renewed debate over the transparency and integrity of the nation’s pardon process.
Fagbemi clarified on Thursday that the Presidential Prerogative of Mercy announced earlier was still under review and had not been finalised.
Reports indicate that anti graft and security agencies, including the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, have raised objections to some of the names on the list and moved to prevent their release.
At the Council of State meeting held on October 9, 2025, Fagbemi had named 175 convicts and former convicts as beneficiaries. The list included illegal miners, financial offenders, drug convicts, foreigners, and capital offenders such as Maj Gen Mamman Vatsa, Prof Magaji Garba, Ken Saro Wiwa and the Ogoni Eight, as well as Maryam Sanda who was convicted for killing her husband in 2017.
The full list was released by the Presidency on October 11, 2025. While the inclusion of some politically exposed persons such as Herbert Macaulay and Farouk Lawan attracted little controversy, the presence of individuals linked to violent crimes and national security breaches sparked widespread outrage.
Maryam Sanda’s inclusion particularly drew public attention. While some members of her late husband’s family rejected the pardon, her father, Alhaji Garba Sanda, and her father in law, Alhaji Bello Isa, jointly held a press briefing to express acceptance of the President’s decision.
Others on the list include Major S Alabi Akubo, convicted for illegal possession of firearms, and Kelvin Prosper Oniarah, a notorious kidnapper whose criminal activities affected several states including Delta, Edo, Rivers, Abia, Benue, and Oyo. The presence of such names has reportedly compelled the government to revisit the list.
A presidential aide who spoke on condition of anonymity revealed that major security agencies, including the EFCC, ICPC, and NDLEA, raised objections, insisting that some of the names were smuggled into the list without proper vetting. The agencies reportedly warned that releasing some of the convicts could weaken the ongoing fight against corruption and organised crime.
According to the aide, the security agencies have demanded that the list be reviewed to exclude individuals whose crimes involve murder, kidnapping, or other capital offences.
A senior official familiar with the matter also disclosed that the final list would likely exclude those whose release could undermine national security or public trust in the justice system.
He explained that the review is meant to ensure that only those who genuinely deserve the President’s mercy remain on the list, while names that caused controversy would be removed.
Another source within one of the security agencies alleged that some low level officers might have inserted certain names during the review process, leading to irregularities. He noted that the list has now been forwarded to relevant agencies for further verification, adding that most of those in question remain in custody pending the final outcome.
An official from an anti graft agency confirmed that both the ICPC and the police had expressed concern about the inclusion of some convicts who did not meet the established criteria.
When contacted, officials of the affected agencies declined to comment officially on the issue.
Meanwhile, Fagbemi has reiterated that no inmate has been released under the current exercise. In a statement issued in Abuja, the Attorney General explained that the process remains at the administrative stage, which involves a thorough review to ensure full compliance with legal and procedural standards.
He clarified that after the Council of State’s approval, the next phase is the formal issuance of instruments implementing the President’s decision for each approved beneficiary. This phase allows for final verification and corrections before the documents are forwarded to the Controller General of Corrections.
Fagbemi described the process as part of the government’s commitment to transparency and due diligence, assuring that only those who are fully qualified will benefit from the President’s mercy.
He commended Nigerians for their vigilance and feedback, noting that public concern reflects a collective desire for justice and good governance.
According to him, there is no delay in the process, as the government is simply ensuring that every step follows the law carefully to guarantee fairness and accountability.
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