President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has granted posthumous presidential pardons to Nigerian nationalist Sir Herbert Macaulay and former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Major-General Mamman Vatsa, along with 15 others, as part of a sweeping national clemency exercise approved by the National Council of State.
The Council’s meeting, held on Thursday at the State House, Abuja, endorsed wide-ranging recommendations from the Presidential Advisory Committee on the Prerogative of Mercy, chaired by the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Olasunkanmi Fagbemi (SAN).
The details of the pardons and commutations were released in a statement by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy.
Highlights of the Clemency Exercise
President Tinubu extended mercy to 175 convicts and former convicts, including inmates, ex-convicts, and individuals who have since passed away.
According to the Presidency, most beneficiaries were considered based on good conduct, remorsefulness, old age, ill health, or acquisition of vocational and educational skills—particularly through enrolment at the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN).
The President also sought to “correct a historic injustice” committed by British colonial authorities against Sir Herbert Macaulay, who was convicted in 1913 for misappropriation of funds — a sentence now viewed as politically motivated against his nationalist activism.
Posthumous Pardons
1. Sir Herbert Macaulay – Nationalist, convicted by British colonialists in 1913.
2. Major-General Mamman Jiya Vatsa (age 46) – Former Minister, executed in 1986 over an alleged coup plot.
The Ogoni Nine (Posthumous)
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Ken Saro-Wiwa
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Saturday Dobee
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Nordu Eawa
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Daniel Gbooko
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Paul Levera
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Felix Nuate
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Baribor Bera
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Barinem Kiobel
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John Kpuine
These men were executed in 1995 under the Abacha regime following their activism against environmental degradation in Ogoniland.
Victims of the Ogoni Crisis Honoured
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Chief Albert Badey
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Chief Edward Kobaru
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Chief Samuel Orage
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Chief Theophilus Orage
Pardoned Former Public Officials
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Hon. Farouk M. Lawan (62) – Convicted in 2021 for corrupt practices.
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Dr. Nwogu Peters (67) – Jailed in 2013 for fraud.
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Barr. Hussaini Alhaji Umar (58) – Fined ₦150m in ICPC case (2023).
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Ayinla Saadu Alanamu (63) – Sentenced in 2019 for bribery.
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Mrs. Anastasia Daniel Nwaoba (63) – Served sentence for fraud.
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Nweke Francis Chibueze (44) – Serving life imprisonment for cocaine trafficking.
Clemency for Convicts and Inmates
The committee recommended clemency for 82 inmates and commutation of sentences for 65 others, while seven inmates on death row had their sentences commuted to life imprisonment.
Many of the beneficiaries were convicted of drug-related offences, unlawful mining, fraud, and minor criminal acts.
Inmates who demonstrated genuine remorse, good behaviour, or acquired new skills during incarceration received consideration.
Among notable beneficiaries:
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Maryam Sanda (37) – Convicted of culpable homicide in 2020; sentence reduced following pleas citing her good conduct and the welfare of her two children.
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Professor Magaji Garba (67) – Former university vice-chancellor convicted for fraud; sentence reduced due to age and conduct.
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Major S.A. Akubo (62) – Convicted for illegal arms removal; life sentence reduced to 20 years.
Additionally, illegal miners who benefited from clemency are to be rehabilitated and empowered under the supervision of Senator Ikra Aliyu Bilbis, who signed an undertaking to oversee their reintegration.
Inmates on Death Row Granted Life Imprisonment
President Tinubu commuted the death sentences of seven inmates to life imprisonment, citing remorse, good behaviour, and humanitarian grounds.
Beneficiaries include:
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Emmanuel Baba (38) – On death row since 2017 for culpable homicide.
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Moses Ayodele Olurunfemi (51) – On death row since 2012.
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Abubakar Usman (59) – Sentenced to death in 2014.
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Khalifa Umar (37) – On death row since 2014.
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Benjamin Ekeze (40) – Convicted for armed robbery in 2017.
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Mohammed Umar (43) – Convicted for culpable homicide in 2018.
Summary of Committee Recommendations
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2 inmates: Full pardon.
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15 former convicts (11 deceased): Posthumous pardon.
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82 inmates: Granted clemency.
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65 inmates: Sentences commuted or reduced.
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7 death-row inmates: Sentences commuted to life imprisonment.
Presidency’s Statement
According to Bayo Onanuga, the initiative demonstrates President Tinubu’s commitment to justice, compassion, and rehabilitation rather than perpetual punishment.
He emphasized that the exercise was guided by constitutional provisions and thorough assessments by the Prerogative of Mercy Committee.