President Bola Tinubu has reviewed the list of convicts earlier recommended for presidential pardon, removing individuals found guilty of serious offences such as kidnapping, drug trafficking, human trafficking, and fraud.
The review was disclosed in a statement issued on Wednesday, October 29, 2025, by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
The move follows widespread criticism that trailed the President’s initial decision to grant clemency to some individuals whose offences many Nigerians described as “too grave” for pardon. The backlash prompted a fresh review of the clemency list after consultations with the Council of State and further public input.
According to Onanuga, “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.”
He explained that the President’s decision was guided by the “seriousness and security implications” of some of the offences, as well as the need to be sensitive to victims and to boost the morale of law enforcement agencies. Tinubu, he said, was also mindful of Nigeria’s bilateral obligations and the concept of justice as “a three-way traffic for the accused, the victim, and the state/society.”
The updated list of eligible beneficiaries has been forwarded to the Nigerian Correctional Service for implementation.
In a related directive, President Tinubu ordered 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. The Attorney-General of the Federation has also been instructed to develop new guidelines for exercising the presidential power of mercy, which will make consultation with prosecuting agencies mandatory.
Onanuga stated that the new measures are aimed at ensuring future clemency exercises meet public expectations and follow due process. He added that the President “appreciated the constructive feedback and engagement from stakeholders and the general public” over the earlier controversy.
President Tinubu reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to judicial reform and improving the overall administration of justice in Nigeria.
