The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), has explained why President Bola Tinubu reviewed the initial list of 175 convicts slated for presidential pardon.
In a statement, Fagbemi said the review was necessary to ensure that only those who met all legal and procedural requirements benefited from the clemency. “During the final review, some names were delisted for not meeting the criteria, while others had their sentences reduced to reflect fairness and justice,” he noted.
The Presidency later released the final list, which included 86 convicts whose sentences were reduced. Among them was Maryam Sanda, previously sentenced to death for killing her husband in 2017. Her punishment was reduced to 12 years in prison on compassionate grounds, citing good conduct and concern for her children.
Other beneficiaries included Chukwukelu Sunday Calistus, whose life sentence for drug offences was reduced to 20 years after 11 years served, and Yusuf Owolabi and Ifeanyi Eze, both convicted of manslaughter, who now face 15-year terms. Mallam Ibrahim Sulaiman, convicted of armed robbery, also had his life term reduced to 15 years.
Several others convicted of offences such as forgery, fraud, and illegal possession of firearms also received reductions.
The Federal Government additionally granted clemency to 15 individuals, issued 15 posthumous pardons—including for Ken Saro-Wiwa and Herbert Macaulay—and commuted four death sentences to life imprisonment.
