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Tinubu Grants Clemency to 15 Inmates, Commutes Death Sentences of Four, and Issues Historic Posthumous Pardons

President exercises constitutional power of mercy, extends clemency to selected inmates and notable Nigerians, including Ken Saro-Wiwa and Mamman Vatsa.

Funmi Adewoju SuleoduOctober 29, 20251 Mins read

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has signed a series of instruments exercising his constitutional powers of prerogative of mercy under Section 175(1) & (2) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), granting clemency to 15 inmates, commuting four death sentences to life imprisonment, and pardoning several notable individuals in a separate document.

According to the official instruments dated October 21, 2025, the following persons were granted full clemency:

Oroka Michael Chibueze, Adesanya Olufemi Paul, Daniel Bodunwa, Hamza Abubakar, Buhari Sani, Mohammed Musa, Muharazu Abubakar, Ibrahim Yusuf, Saad Ahmed Madaki, Ex-Corporal Michael Bawa, Richard Ayuba, Adam Abubakar, Emmanuel Yusuf, Chinedu Stanley and Johnny Ntheru Udor

In a separate instrument, the President commuted the death sentences of the following four individuals to life imprisonment: Emmanuel Baba, Abubakar Usman, Khalifa Umar and Mohammed Umar.

In another document, the President extended clemency to a list of prominent Nigerians, including posthumous pardons for historical figures and previously convicted officials. Those pardoned include: Mrs Anastasia Daniel Nwaobia, Barr. Hussaini Alhaji Umar, Ayinla Saadu Alanamu, Hon. Farouk M. Lawan, Herbert Macauley, Major Gen. Mamman Jiya Vatsa, Ken Saro Wiwa, Saturday Dobee, Nordu Eawo, Daniel Gbooko, Paul Levera, Felix Nuale, Baribor Bera, Barinem Kiobel, John Kpuine were pardoned in a seperate document.

The presidency explained that the review of the initial list was guided by justice, security considerations, public sensitivity, and international obligations. Offenders convicted of serious crimes such as kidnapping, human trafficking, fraud, and arms dealing were excluded from the list.

To ensure better oversight, President Tinubu approved 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 President also directed the Attorney-General of the Federation to issue new guidelines for future exercises, including mandatory consultation with prosecuting agencies.

President Tinubu expressed appreciation for the constructive public feedback and reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to judicial reform and effective justice administration in Nigeria.

Author

Funmi Adewoju Suleodu

Olufunmilayo Adewoju Suleodu is a veteran journalist, editor, and publisher with more than three decades of experience in journalism, communications, and public affairs.

She has worked across news media, magazine publishing, communications, development-sector engagements, and digital journalism. She currently publishes SageBits Online and reports on governance, development, business, education, traditional institutions, and public affairs.

She is also an elected officer of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Ogun East Independent Chapel, reflecting her continued engagement with the journalism profession and media development.

Based in Ogun State, she is available for freelance reporting, feature writing, editorial assignments, research, project documentation, and development communications work.

Detailed professional history and references are available upon request.

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Written by

Funmi Adewoju Suleodu

Olufunmilayo Adewoju Suleodu is a veteran journalist, editor, and publisher with more than three decades of experience in journalism, communications, and public affairs. She has worked across news media, magazine publishing, communications, development-sector engagements, and digital journalism. She currently publishes SageBits Online and reports on governance, development, business, education, traditional institutions, and public affairs. She is also an elected officer of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Ogun East Independent Chapel, reflecting her continued engagement with the journalism profession and media development. Based in Ogun State, she is available for freelance reporting, feature writing, editorial assignments, research, project documentation, and development communications work. Detailed professional history and references are available upon request.