The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), on Wednesday provided the reasons for President Bola Tinubu’s decision to review the list of 175 convicts initially selected for presidential pardon.
The AGF explained that the review was conducted to ensure that only individuals who “met stipulated legal and procedural requirements” were eligible to benefit from the prerogative of mercy.
The exercise has now been completed, and the final list of beneficiaries has received the President’s approval.
In a statement he personally signed, the AGF confirmed:“During this final review, few persons earlier recommended were found not to have met the necessary requirements and were accordingly delisted, while in some other cases, sentences were reviewed and reduced to reflect fairness, justice, and the spirit of the exercise.”
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A final list seen revealed that Maryam Sanda, who was on death row for culpable homicide, was among the 86 persons whose sentences were reduced.
Sanda, who was sentenced to death by hanging on January 27, 2020, for the 2017 fatal stabbing of her husband, Bilyamin Bello, has spent six years and eight months in Suleja prison.
The Federal Government reduced her total sentence to 12 years, citing reasons such as “compassionate ground, in the best interest of the children, good conduct, embraced new lifestyle, model to prisoners and remorsefulness.”
Other notable commutations include:
- Chukwukelu Sunday Calistus, whose life sentence for drug-related offenses was reduced to 20 years (after serving 11 years).
- Yusuf Owolabi (sentenced to life imprisonment for manslaughter) and Ifeanyi Eze (life imprisonment for manslaughter) both had their punishments reduced to 15 years.
- Mallam Ibrahim Sulaiman (facing life imprisonment for armed robbery and illegal firearm possession) was approved for a 15-year term (after serving two years).
- Nnamdi Anene (convicted in 2010 to life imprisonment for illegal arms dealing) was pardoned to serve only 20 years.
The beneficiaries were noted for showing remorse, having “good conduct in the prison,” acquiring vocational skills, or advancing their education. Their original offenses also included unlawful mining, fraud, forgery, and criminal breach of trust.
The government disclosed that in addition to the commutations, 15 persons were granted clemency, 15 others—including the late Saro Wiwa and Herbert Macaulay—were granted pardons, and four others had their death sentences commuted to life imprisonment.
Announcing the formal conclusion of the exercise, the AGF emphasized that the review highlights President Tinubu’s desire “to balance justice with compassion and the belief that justice must not only punish, but also reform and redeem.”
He said: “The review was undertaken with meticulous commitment to due process to reinforce the administration’s broader commitment to justice reform and humane correctional practices in line with international standards.
“To ensure that future exercises meet public expectations and best practices, the President has directed the immediate 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 has further directed the Attorney-General of the Federation to issue appropriate Guidelines for the Exercise of the Power of Prerogative of Mercy, which includes compulsory consultation with relevant prosecuting agencies.
“This will ensure that only persons who fully meet the stipulated legal and procedural requirements will henceforth benefit from the issuance of instruments of release.
“I commend the public for their patience and constructive engagement throughout the process, and assure Nigerians that the government remains steadfast in promoting a justice system that upholds human dignity while safeguarding national security and social order,” the AGF’s statement further read.
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