President Tinubu Under Pressure To Review, Drop Some Controversial Names From Pardon List

 

• President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is reportedly under intense pressure to revise the recently approved presidential pardon list, following widespread outrage over the inclusion of several controversial figures convicted of serious crimes.

  These included: Those granted full pardon, Posthumous pardons (notably Ken Saro-Wiwa and members of the Ogoni Nine), Honours for victims of the Ogoni Nine incident, Beneficiaries of presidential clemency, Inmates recommended for reduced sentences, and Death row inmates whose sentences were commuted to life imprisonment.

  The Presidency described the move as part of efforts to decongest correctional facilities and promote national reconciliation.

  However, the decision sparked widespread criticism after it emerged that some of the beneficiaries were high-profile convicts involved in violent crimes, drug trafficking, and corruption.

  Amid the backlash, AGF Lateef Fagbemi clarified that the clemency process was not yet final, stating that relevant agencies were still reviewing the list.

  “The Presidential Prerogative of Mercy recently announced is still under review and has not been finalised,” Fagbemi said, adding that security and anti-graft bodies were currently vetting the names.

  Security and Anti-Graft Agencies Raise Objections

  Sources revealed that agencies such as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) had raised serious objections to some names on the list.

  The agencies reportedly warned that freeing certain individuals “smuggled” into the list could undermine the fight against organised crime and weaken public confidence in the justice system.

  Among those reportedly included was Maryam Sanda, convicted in 2017 for the murder of her husband, Bilyaminu Bello. While some members of Bello’s family rejected the pardon, his father, Alhaji Bello Isa, and Sanda’s father, Alhaji Garba Sanda, expressed acceptance of the gesture.

  Another controversial name was Kelvin Prosper Oniarah, a notorious kidnap kingpin once linked to a vast network of detention camps across Delta, Edo, Rivers, Abia, Benue, and Oyo States. Also listed was Major S. Alabi Akubo, jailed for illegal possession of firearms.

  Presidency Moves to Reassess the List

  A senior presidential aide, who spoke to Punch, revealed that the controversy had prompted an urgent reassessment.

  “The list was too wide, and some of the names did not pass the necessary security vetting,” the aide said. “The EFCC, NDLEA, and other agencies have insisted that the list must be pruned down. Not all the names came from the official review committee.”

  Another top official added that the final version of the list would likely exclude individuals whose release could pose a security threat or undermine public trust in the justice system.

  “The list will be trimmed to reflect only those who genuinely deserve the President’s mercy. Those whose inclusion created controversy will be expunged,” the source confirmed.

  Insiders also revealed that some low-level officials within the committee might have “smuggled in” certain names without proper clearance.

  “Some of the names on the list did not meet the criteria. Some cases are still very fresh. Fortunately, none of the controversial convicts has been released yet,” a source within a security agency disclosed.

  Officials from anti-graft bodies also confirmed their reservations, with one ICPC source saying: “We are not comfortable with the list because it contains names of convicts who clearly do not qualify for presidential pardon.”

• According to reports, the Council of State had endorsed the pardon presented by the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN) which covered 175 individuals across six categories.