President Bola Tinubu has granted presidential pardons and clemency to 175 people, including the late environmental campaigner Ken Saro-Wiwa, nationalist Herbert Macaulay, Major General Mamman Vatsa, and Maryam Sanda, who was sentenced to death for killing her husband.
According to a statement issued on Saturday by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the decision was made in response to recommendations from the Presidential Advisory Committee on the Prerogative of Mercy, chaired by the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN).
The list, which was released on Saturday, is divided into six categories: pardoned, posthumous pardon (including the Ogoni Nine), victims of the Ogoni Nine honored, presidential clemency (clemency beneficiaries), list of inmates recommended for reduced sentence, and list of inmates on death row reduced to life imprisonment.
The following is the complete list of recipients as stated in the statement:
Pardoned
1. Nweke Francis Chibueze, aged 44, serving a life sentence at Kirikiri for cocaine
2. Dr Nwogu Peters, aged 67; serving a 17-year jail term for fraud. Sentenced in 2013
3. Mrs Anastasia Daniel Nwaoba, aged 63. Already served a sentence for fraud
4. Barr. Hussaini Alhaji Umar, aged 58. Sentenced in 2023 to pay a fine of N150M in the ICPC case
5. Ayinla Saadu Alanamu, age 63, was sentenced to seven years for bribery in 2019 and has served the sentence
6. Hon. Farouk M. Lawan, aged 62. Sentenced to five years in 2021 for Corrupt Practices and had served the sentence
Posthumous pardon
7. Sir Herbert Macaulay — banned from public office for misappropriation of funds and sentenced in 1913 by the British colonialists
8. Major-General Mamman Jiya Vatsa, age 46 — sentenced in 1986 for treason (alleged coup plot)
Posthumous pardon: The Ogoni nine
9. Ken Saro Wiwa — sentenced for murder
10. Saturday Dobee — sentenced for murder
11. Nordu Eawa — sentenced for murder
12. Daniel Gbooko — sentenced for murder
13. Paul Levera — sentenced for murder
14. Felix Nuate — sentenced for murder
15. Baribor Bera — sentenced for murder
16. Barinem Kiobel — sentenced for murder
17. John Kpuine—sentenced for murder
Victims of the Ogoni Nine honored
Presidential clemency
1. Aluagwu Lawrence, aged 47, sentenced for Indian hemp (selling), 2015
2. Ben Friday, aged 60, was sentenced to 3 years or a N1.3 million fine for marijuana in 2023.
3. Oroke Micheal Chibueze, aged 21, sentenced to 5 years (cannabis sativa) in 2023
4. Kelvin Christopher Smith, aged 42, was sentenced to 4 years for importing cocaine in 2023.
5. Azubuike Jeremiah Emeka, aged 31, sentenced in 2021 to 5 years or a N3 million fine for importing cocaine
6. Akinrinnade Akinwande Adebiyi, aged 47, sentenced in 2023 to 3 years for dealing in Tramadol
7. Ahmed Adeyemo, aged 38, sentenced to 15 years for cannabis. Already served nine years, 5 months at Kirikiri
8. Adeniyi Jimoh, aged 31 years, sentenced to 15 years for drugs in 2015 and served nine years at Kirikiri
9. Seun Omirinde, aged 39, sentenced to 15 years for drugs in 2015. Served nine years at Kirikiri
10. Adesanya Olufemi Paul, aged 61, sentenced to 14 years for theft. Had served eight years
11. Ife Yusuf, aged 37, was sentenced for human trafficking in 2019. Had served six years at Kirikiri
12. Daniel Bodunwa, aged 43, was sentenced in 2018 to 10 years for fraudulent intent to forge a land receipt. Had served six years in jail
13. Fidelis Michael, aged 40, sentenced to 5 years for cannabis sativa
14. Suru Akande, aged 52, sentenced to 5 years for cannabis sativa
15. Safiyanu Umar, aged 56, sentenced to 5 years without the option of a fine for possessing 5 kg of cannabis sativa, 2023
16. Dahiru Abdullahi, aged 46, was sentenced in 2016 to 21 years for possession of 3 pistols and had spent 10 years in jail.
17. Hamza Abubakar, aged 37, sentenced to 5 years for Indian hemp (selling), 2022
18. Rabiu Alhassan Dawaki, aged 52, sentenced in 2020 to 7 years for criminal breach of trust
19. Mujibu Muhammad, aged 30, sentenced in 2022 to 5 years, no option for a fine for cannabis
20. Emmanuel Eze, aged 49, sentenced in 2022 to 5 years for heroin
21. Bala Azika Yahaya, aged 70, sentenced in 2017 to 15 years for cannabis
22. Lina Kusum Wilson, aged 34, sentenced to death in 2017 for culpable homicide, had spent eight years in jail.
23. Buhari Sani, aged 33, sentenced in 2022 to 5 years for possession of 558 grams of cannabis
24. Mohammed Musa, aged 27, was sentenced in 2022 to 5 years for possession of 16 grams of cannabis.
25. Muharazu Abubakar, aged 37, sentenced in 2022 to 5 years for selling Indian hemp. Already spent 3 years in Katsina Prison
26. Ibrahim Yusuf, aged 34, jailed 5 years in 2022 for possession of 5.7 grams of Indian hemp
27. Saad Ahmed Madaki, aged 72; sentenced in 2020 for a 419 offense. Had served 4 years in Kaduna prison
28. Ex-Corporal Michael Bawa, aged 72: sentenced to life imprisonment for murder in 2005. Had spent 20 years in Kaduna prison
29. Richard Ayuba, aged 38. Sentenced to 5 years in 2022 for Indian hemp
30. Adam Abubakar, aged 30 and sentenced in 2022 to five years for possession of 2 kg of tramadol
31. Emmanuel Yusuf, aged 34, sentenced in 2022 to 4 years for possession of 2 kg of tramadol
32. Edwin Nnazor, aged 60, sentenced in 2018 to 15 years for cannabis. Had spent 6 years and nine months at Zamfara prison
33. Chinedu Stanley, aged 34. Sentenced in 2023 to three years for fake lubricant oil
34. Joseph Nwanoka, aged 42: sentenced in 2022 to five years for drugs
35. Johnny Ntheru, aged 63, sentenced in 1989 to life imprisonment for robbery. Had spent 36 years in Umuahia Prison
36. John Omotiye, aged 28, sentenced to six years for pipeline vandalism
37. Nsikat Edet Harry, aged 37, sentenced in 2023 to 5 years for illegal possession of Indian hemp, cocaine & heroin
38. Jonathan Asuquo, aged 28, sentenced in 2022 to 5 years for possession of Indian hemp & other drugs
39. Prince Samuel Peters, aged 54, sentenced in 2020 to 7 years for obtaining money by false pretense. Had spent 4 years and 3 months in Ikot Ekpene Prison
40. Babangida Saliu, aged 35, sentenced in 2024 to 3 years for unlawful mining
41. Adamu Sanni, aged 39, sentenced in 2024 to 3 years for unlawful mining
42. Abdulkarem Salisu, aged 30, sentenced to 3 years for unlawful mining
43. Abdulaziz Lawal, aged 18, sentenced to 3 years for unlawful mining
44. Abdulrahman Babangida, aged 20, sentenced to 3 years for unlawful mining
45. Maharazu Alidu, aged 22, sentenced to 3 years for unlawful mining
46. Zaharadeen Baliue, aged 38, sentenced to 3 years for unlawful mining
47. Babangida Usman, aged 30, sentenced to 3 years for unlawful mining
48. Zayyanu Abdullahi, aged 28, sentenced to 3 years for unlawful mining, 2024
49. Bashir Garuba, aged 20, sentenced in 2024 to 3 years for unlawful mining
50. Imam Suleman, aged 25, sentenced to 3 years for unlawful mining, 2024
51. Abbeh Amisu, aged 28, sentenced to 3 years for unlawful mining, 2024
52. Lawani Lurwanu, aged 20, sentenced to 3 years for unlawful mining, 2024
53. Yusuf Alhassan, aged 33, was sentenced to 3 years for unlawful mining in 2024.
54. Abdulahi Isah, aged 25, sentenced to 3 years for unlawful mining, 2024
55. Zayanu Bello, aged 35, sentenced to 3 years for unlawful mining
56. Habeeb Suleman, aged 22, sentenced in 2024 to 3 years for unlawful mining
57. Jubrin Sahabi, aged 23, was sentenced to 3 years in 2024 for unlawful mining.
58. Shefiu Umar, aged 28, was sentenced to 3 years in 2024 for unlawful mining.
59. Seidu Abubakar, age 29, sentenced in 2024 to 3 years for unlawful mining
60. Haruna Abubakar, aged 24, was sentenced to 3 years in 2024 for unlawful mining.
61. Rabiu Seidu, aged 26, sentenced in 2024 to 3 years for unlawful mining
62. Macha Kuru, aged 25, sentenced in 2024 to 3 years for unlawful mining
63. Zahradeen Aminu, aged 25 years, sentenced to 3 years for unlawful mining
64. Nazipi Musa, aged 25. Sentenced to 3 years for unlawful mining in 2024
65. Abdullahi Musa, aged 30 and sentenced to 3 years in 2024 for unlawful mining
66. Habibu Safiu, aged 20 and sentenced to 3 years in 2024 for unlawful mining
67. Husseni Sani, aged 21 and sentenced to 3 years in 2024 for unlawful mining
68. Musa Lawali, aged 25 and sentenced to 3 years in 2024 for unlawful mining
69. Suleiman Lawal, aged 23 and sentenced to 3 years in 2024 for unlawful mining
70. Yusuf Iliyasu, aged 21 and sentenced to 3 years in 2024 for unlawful mining
71. Sebiyu Aliyu, aged 20 and sentenced to 3 years in 2024 for unlawful mining
72. Halliru Sani, aged 18 and sentenced to 3 years in 2024 for unlawful mining
73. Shittu Aliyu, aged 30 and sentenced to 3 years in 2024 for unlawful mining
74. Sanusi Aminu, aged 27 and sentenced to 3 years in 2024 for unlawful mining
75. Isiaka Adamu, aged 40 and sentenced to 3 years in 2024 for unlawful mining
76. Mamman Ibrahim, aged 50 and sentenced to 3 years in 2024 for unlawful mining
77. Shuaibu Abdullahi, aged 35 and sentenced to 3 years in 2024 for unlawful mining
78. Sanusi Adamu, aged 28 and sentenced to 3 years in 2024 for unlawful mining
79. Sadi Musa, aged 20 and sentenced to 3 years in 2024 for unlawful mining
80. Haruna Isah, aged 35 and sentenced to 3 years in 2024 for unlawful mining
81. Abiodun Elemero, aged 43. Sentenced to life imprisonment for cocaine hawking in 2014. Had spent 10 years plus in Kirikiri
82. Maryam Sanda, aged 37, was sentenced to death in 2020 for culpable homicide and had spent six years and eight months at Suleja Medium Security Custodial Centre.
List of inmates recommended for reduced term of imprisonment
1. Yusuf Owolabi, aged 36. Sentenced to life in 2015 for manslaughter. Had spent 10 years at Kirikiri. Prison term reduced to 12 years
2. Ifeanyi Eze, aged 33. Sentenced to life in 2021 for manslaughter and had spent four years at Kirikiri. Prison term reduced to 12 years
3. Malam Ibrahim Sulaiman, aged 59. Sentenced to life in 2022 for armed robbery & possession of illegal firearms. Sentence cut to 10 years
4. Shettima Maaji Arfo, aged 54. Sentenced in 2021 to seven years for corrupt practices. The sentence was reduced to four years because of good conduct and ill health.
5. Ajasper Benzeger, aged 69 and sentenced in 2015 to 20 years for culpable homicide. Sentence reduced to 12 years, based on old age and ill -health
6. Ifenna Kennechukwu, aged 42. Sentenced in 2015 to 20 years for drugs (cocaine import) and had spent close to 10 years in Kirikiri. Prison term reduced to 12 years
7. Mgbeike Matthew, aged 45. Sentenced to 20 years in 2013 for the import of 3.10 kg. Following remorsefulness and the acquisition of vocational skills at Kirikiri. Sentence reduced to 12 years
8. Patrick Mensah, aged 40. Sentenced in 2015 to 17 years for drugs. Sentence reduced to 11 years
9. Obi Edwin Chukwu, aged 43 and sentenced in 2017 to 15 years for drugs. Sentence reduced to 10 years
10. Tunde Balogun, aged 32 and sentenced in 2015 to 15 years for drugs. Sentence reduced to 10 years
11. Lima Pereira Erick Diego, aged 27 and sentenced in 2017 to 15 years or a fine of N20 million for drugs. Sentence reduced to 10 years
12. Uchegbu Emeka Michael, aged 37. Sentenced in 2017 to 15 years or a fine of N20 million for drugs. Sentence reduced to 10 years
13. Salawu Adebayo Samsudeen, aged 46 and sentenced in 2016 to 15 years for drugs. Sentence reduced to 10 years
14. Napolo Osariemen, aged 61 and sentenced in 2022 to 15 years for 2 kilos of Indian hemp. The sentence was reduced to seven years.
15. Patricia Echoe Igninovia, aged 61 and sentenced in 2023 to seven years for trafficking in persons. Sentence reduced to five years
16. Odeyemi Omolaram, aged 65 and sentenced in 2017 to 25 years in prison for drugs. Sentence reduced to 12 years based on the defendant’s remorsefulness and advanced age
17. Vera Daniel Ifork, aged 29 and sentenced in 2020 to 10 years for trafficking in persons. Sentence reduced to eight years
18. Gabriel Juliet Chidimma, aged 32 and sentenced in 2022 to six years for drug (cocaine). Sentence reduced to four years
19. Dias Santos Marcia Christiana, aged 44 and sentenced in 2017 to 15 years for the import of cocaine. Sentence reduced to 10 years
20. Alh. Ibrahim Hameed, aged 71 and sentenced in 2023 to seven years for illegal property (obtaining property under false pretense). Sentence reduced to five years
21. Alh. Nasiru Ogara Adinoyi, 65, was sentenced in 2023 to 14 years for obtaining property by false pretense. Sentence reduced to seven years
22. Chief Emeka Agbodike, aged 69, was sentenced in 2023 to seven years for obtaining property by false pretense. Sentence reduced to 3 years
23. Isaac Justina, aged 40. Sentenced in 2022 to 10 years for cannabis sativa and had spent 3 years in the Abeokuta Custodial Centre. Sentence reduced to four years
24. Aishat Kehinde, aged 38 and sentenced in 2022 to five years for unlawful possession of cannabis. The prison term being served in Abeokuta has been reduced to four years.
25. Helen Solomon, age 68. Sentenced in 2024 to five years for cannabis sativa. Sentence reduced to three years
26. Okoye Tochukwu, aged 43 and sentenced in 2024 to six years for cannabis sativa. Sentence reduced to 3 years
27. Ugwueze Paul, aged 38 and sentenced in 2024 to six years for cannabis sativa. Sentence reduced to three years
28. Mutsapha Ahmed, aged 46 and sentenced in 2022 to seven years without a fine option for criminal breach of trust. The sentence was reduced to five years.
29. Abubakar Mamman, aged 38 and sentenced in 2020 to 10 years in Kebbi Custodial Centre for possession of firearms. Sentence reduced to seven years
30. Muhammed Bello Musa, aged 35. Sentenced in 2020 to 10 years in Kebbi Custodial Centre for illegal possession of firearms. Sentence reduced to seven years
31. Nnamdi Anene, aged 67 and sentenced in 2010 to life imprisonment at Katsina Custodial Centre for illegal dealing of arms. Sentence reduced to 20 years
32. Alh. Abubakar Tanko, aged 61, was sentenced in 2018 to 30 years at the Gusau Custodial Centre for culpable homicide. Sentence reduced to 20 years
33. Chisom Francis Wisdom, aged 30; sentenced in 2018 to 20 years in Umuahia Custodial Centre for kidnapping. Sentence reduced to 12 years
34. Innocent Brown Idiong, aged 60, was sentenced in 2020 to 10 years for possession of 700 grams of Indian hemp. Has already spent 4 years and 3 months at Ikot Abasi Custodial Centre. Jail term reduced to six years
35. Iniobong Imaeyen Ntukidem, aged 46, was sentenced in 2021 to seven years in jail at the Uyo Custodial Centre. Prison term reduced to five years
36. Ada Audu, aged 72, was sentenced in 2022 to seven years in Kuje Custodial Centre and had spent 2 years and 7 months in prison. Prison term reduced to 4 years because of old age
37. Bukar Adamu, aged 40 and sentenced to 20 years in 2019 for advance fee fraud. Prison term reduced to nine years
38. Kelvin Oniarah Ezigbe, 44, was sentenced in October 2023 to 20 years for kidnapping, which took effect in 2013. The sentence was reduced to 13 years.
39. Frank Azuekor, aged 42. Sentenced in 2023 for kidnapping and jailed in Kuje Custodial Centre for 20 years, and had spent 12 years behind bars from 2013. The sentence was reduced to 13 years.
40. Chukwukelu Sunday Calisthus, aged 47 and sentenced in 2014 to life at Kuje Custodial Centre for drugs. He had spent 11 years at Kuje. Sentence reduced to 13 years
41. Professor Magaji Garba, aged 67. Sentenced in 2021 to seven years for obtaining money by false pretense and had spent 3 years at Kuje Custodial Centre. The prison term was reduced to four years due to good conduct and advanced age.
42. Markus Yusuf, aged 41. Sentenced in 2023 to 13 years for culpable homicide. Sentence reduced to 5 years based on ill health
43. Samson Ajayi, aged 31 and sentenced in 2022 to 15 years for drugs. He had spent five years at Suleja Custodial Centre. The sentence was reduced to seven years.
44. Iyabo Binyoyo, aged 49. Sentenced in 2017 to 10 years for drugs and sentenced to nine years at Suleja Custodial Centre, due to good conduct
45. Oladele Felix, 49, was sentenced in 2022 to five years without a fine option for conspiracy and exploitation. Based on good conduct and remorsefulness, the sentence was reduced to four years. Felix is serving the term at Suleja.
46. Rakiya Beida, aged 33 and sentenced in 2021 to seven years, without a fine option, for theft and cheating. The sentence, being served at Suleja, was reduced to three years based on good conduct.
47. Nriagu Augustine Ifeanyi, aged 44 and sentenced in 2018 to 10 years in Ikoyi Custodial Centre for exporting cocaine. The sentence was reduced to eight years.
48. Chukwudi Destiny, aged 36 and sentenced in 2022 to six years in Ikoyi Custodial Centre for heroin import. The sentence was cut to four years.
49. Felix Rotimi Esemokhai, aged 47 and sentenced in 2022 to five years for heroin. The sentence was reduced to four years.
50. Major S.A. Akubo, aged 62, was sentenced in 2009 to life at Katsina Custodial Centre for illegally removing 7,000 assorted weapons. Following good conduct and remorsefulness, the sentence was commuted to 20 years.
51. John Ibiam, aged 39, was sentenced in 2016 to 15 years for manslaughter and served 9 years and one month in the Afikpo Custodial Centre. The sentence was reduced to 10 years after the individual showed remorse and acquired vocational skills.
52. Omoka Aja, aged 40 and sentenced in 2016 to 15 years for manslaughter, served 9 years and 1 month in Afikpo Custodial Centre. The sentence was commuted to 10 years.
53. Chief Jonathan Alatoru, aged 66, was sentenced in 2021 to seven years for conspiracy to cheat. The sentence served in Port Harcourt Custodial Centre has been reduced to five years.
54. Umanah Ekaette Umanah, aged 70 and sentenced in 2022 to 10 years in Port Harcourt Custodial Centre for forgery. Sentence reduced to five years due to old age and remorsefulness
55. Utom Obong Thomson Udoaka, 60, was sentenced in 2020 to seven years in Ikot Ekpene Custodial Centre for obtaining money by false pretense. He had served four years and two months at Ikot Ekpene. Due to his old age and good conduct, the initial sentence has been reduced to five years.
56. Jude Saka Ebaragha, aged 44. Sentenced in 2020 to 12 years at Ikoyi Prison and a fine of N1 million for conspiracy to hijack a fishing vessel. The sentence was commuted to six years, and the N1m fine was waived.
57. Frank Insort Abaka, 46, was sentenced in 2020 to 12 years and a N1M fine at Ikoyi Custodial Centre for conspiracy to hijack a fishing vessel. The sentence was reduced to six years, and the fine was waived.
58. Shina Alolo, 42, was sentenced in 2020 to 12 years and a N1M fine at Ikoyi Custodial Centre for conspiracy to hijack a fishing vessel. Like others, the N1m fine was waived, and the sentence was reduced to 6 years.
59. Joshua Iwiki, aged 50: Sentenced in 2020 to 12 years at Ikoyi Prison and a fine of N1M for conspiracy to hijack a fishing vessel. The N1m fine was waived, and the sentence was commuted to six years in prison.
60. David Akinseye, aged 44: Sentenced in 2020 to 12 years & N1M fine for conspiracy to hijack a fishing vessel. His sentence was commuted to 6 years, and the fine was waived.
61. Ahmed Toyin, aged 46: Sentenced in 2020 to 12 years & N1M fine for conspiracy to hijack a fishing vessel. The sentence was also commuted, and the fine was waived.
62. Shobajo Saheed, age 57: Sentenced in 2020 to 12 years and a fine of N1M for conspiracy to hijack a fishing vessel. He got a similar reprieve like the others.
1. Adamole Philip, aged 52 years: Sentenced to 12 years & a N1M fine for conspiracy to hijack a fishing vessel, 2020. Philip also got his term reduced to seven years and the fine waived.
2. Mathew Masi, aged 39: Also sentenced to 12 years and a fine of N1 million for conspiracy to hijack a fishing vessel. The sentence was reduced to six years, and the fine was waived.
3. Bright Agbedeyi, 46, was also sentenced in 2020 for conspiracy to hijack a fishing vessel. Like the others in his category, he got a reprieve.
List of inmates on death row reduced to life imprisonment
1. Emmanuel Baba, aged 38: sentenced to death in 2017 for culpable homicide. On death row in Kuje Custodial Centre for the past 8 years. The sentence was commuted to life imprisonment based on good conduct and remorsefulness.
2. Emmanuel Gladstone, aged 45, was sentenced in 2020 to death for murder and had spent five years at Katsina Custodial Centre. Death sentence commuted to life imprisonment due to good conduct and remorse
3. Moses Ayodele Olurunfemi, aged 51: sentenced to death in 2012 for culpable homicide and had spent 13 years on death row in Katsina. President Tinubu commuted the death sentence to life imprisonment.
4. Abubakar Usman, aged 59: sentenced to death in 2014 and had spent 14 years on death row in Katsina. His sentence was commuted to life because of his remorse and good conduct.
5. Khalifa Umar, aged 37: sentenced to death in 2014 and had spent 11 years on death row in Kano Custodial Centre. His sentence has been commuted to life imprisonment.
6. Benjamin Ekeze, age 40: sentenced to death in 2017 for armed robbery and conspiracy and had spent 12 years on death row at Kirikiri, Lagos. The sentence was also commuted to life.
7. Mohammed Umar, aged 43: sentenced to death in 2018 for culpable homicide and had spent seven years on death row in Onitsha Custodial Centre. He got the presidential reprieve, commuting the death sentence to life imprisonment.
