By Jemimah Wellington, JKNewsMedia Correspondent
WIDESPREAD PUBLIC concern and consultations with the Council of State have prompted President Bola Tinubu to order a comprehensive review and correction of an earlier list of beneficiaries under the presidential prerogative of mercy.
The Presidency, in a statement signed by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, on October 29, 2025, said the clarification makes clear that the latest decision was not a fresh round of pardons but a corrective action to address issues raised over some individuals initially included in the list.
According to the Presidency, President Tinubu executed the necessary instruments of release to conclude the constitutional process for those confirmed eligible, while directing that names of individuals convicted of grave offences be removed from the initial approval.
The statement confirmed that persons convicted of kidnapping, drug-related offences, human trafficking, fraud, and unlawful possession of firearms or arms dealing were deleted from the list.
It added that the review also resulted in commutations of sentences for others who had previously been recommended for clemency.
The release explained that the review was guided by multiple factors, including the severity and security implications of the offences, sensitivity to victims and their families, the need to sustain the morale of law enforcement agencies, and adherence to Nigeria’s bilateral obligations.
It stated that the concept of justice as a three-way traffic between the accused, the victim, and the State or society served as a guiding principle in the review process.
The updated list of approved beneficiaries has been transmitted to the Nigerian Correctional Service for implementation in line with the duly signed instruments of release.
The directive instructs the correctional authorities to ensure the release of only those individuals whose clemency has been properly approved and documented by the President.
To prevent future irregularities and strengthen institutional checks, President Tinubu ordered 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 statement explained that this move would bring the committee’s operations under direct legal oversight and ensure strict compliance with procedural and judicial standards.
In addition, the President instructed the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice to develop new guidelines for exercising the power of prerogative of mercy.
The guidelines, according to the statement, must include compulsory consultation with relevant prosecuting agencies before any recommendations are submitted for presidential consideration.
The Presidency said these new measures aim to ensure that only persons who meet the full legal and procedural requirements benefit from future clemency exercises.
It added that the decision followed constructive engagement and feedback from citizens, civic groups, and institutional stakeholders who had expressed strong concerns about the earlier process.
“The President appreciated the constructive feedback and engagement from stakeholders and the general public on this matter,” the statement said, noting that the administration values transparency, accountability, and public trust in the justice system.
The statement further reaffirmed the administration’s broader commitment to judicial reform and to improving the administration of justice in Nigeria.
It further said the President’s action underscores his resolve to balance fairness with responsibility, ensuring that acts of mercy do not compromise national security or undermine the morale of the nation’s security institutions.
It also stressed that Nigeria remains committed to its bilateral and international obligations in justice administration, and that all exercises of presidential clemency will continue to be guided by law, sensitivity to victims, and public interest.
The Presidency also concluded that the corrective review demonstrates President Tinubu’s intention to uphold justice and accountability while maintaining the integrity of the prerogative of mercy process.
Future exercises, it added, will be carried out under stricter legal scrutiny and within the framework of new procedural reforms to be supervised by the Federal Ministry of Justice.
