President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved a fresh list of individuals granted clemency and presidential pardon but notable names such as Maryam Sanda, who was sentenced to death in 2020 for the murder of her husband, Bilyaminu Bello, were excluded from the final list.
The development was confirmed in a statement issued on Wednesday by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy. He said the President formally signed the Instrument of Clemency to exercise his constitutional power of prerogative of mercy for selected individuals.
According to the statement, the decision followed extensive consultations with the Council of State and a review of the initial list in line with Section 175(1) & (2) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
Tinubu reportedly directed that persons convicted of serious offences such as kidnapping, drug trafficking, human trafficking, fraud, and illegal possession or trading of firearms be excluded from the new clemency list. Some other individuals who had previously received pardon had their sentences commuted.
Under the Instrument of Presidential Prerogative of Mercy (Grant of Pardon), 2025, those granted presidential pardon include:
Mrs. Anastasia Daniel Nwaobia, Barrister Hussaini Alhaji Umar, Ayinla Saadu Alanamu, Hon. Farouk M. Lawan, Herbert Macaulay, Major General Mamman Jiya Vatsa, Ken Saro-Wiwa, Saturday Dobee, Nordu Eawo, Daniel Gbooko, Paul Levera, Felix Nuale, Baribor Bera, Barinem Kiobel, and John Kpuine.
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Meanwhile, those whose death sentences were commuted to life imprisonment under the Instrument of Presidential Prerogative of Mercy (Commutation of Death Sentence to Life Imprisonment), 2025 are:
Emmanuel Baba, Abubakar Usman, Khalifa Umar, and Mohammed Umar.