The Federal Government has ordered a comprehensive review of the presidential pardon list following concerns that several unqualified names were secretly inserted.
Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), confirmed that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), and the police are now scrutinising the list before it reaches President Bola Tinubu for final approval.
Sources revealed that more than half of the 175 names granted clemency could be dropped after integrity checks. The list, released on 11 October 2025, included illegal miners, drug offenders, and high-profile figures such as Maj Gen Mamman Vatsa, Prof Magaji Garba, Ken Saro-Wiwa and the Ogoni Eight, and Maryam Sanda.
However, the inclusion of some convicts under active investigation raised alarm among anti-graft and security agencies, prompting the Attorney-General’s intervention.
An official disclosed that some low-level officers “smuggled in” names not recommended by the committee. “The President is unaware of some of these names,” the source said, confirming that the review was initiated to ensure due diligence and transparency.
Officials close to the process said the vetting aims to prevent a repeat of past controversies linked to questionable pardons. “This government won’t allow anyone with unresolved corruption or criminal cases to benefit,” a Presidency source stated.
The Ministry of Justice has assured that the final list will only include individuals who meet the legal and ethical standards. Once security agencies conclude their background checks, the vetted list will be presented to Tinubu for approval.
