FG Clarifies Tinubu’s Pardon List, Says No Inmate Released As Review Continues

The Federal Government has clarified that no inmate has been released yet under the recent Presidential Prerogative of Mercy granted by President Bola Tinubu, explaining that the process is still undergoing its final administrative review. The clarification follows reports that President Tinubu approved pardons for Sir Herbert Macaulay and 174 others, including late environmental activist Ken Saro-Wiwa and Major General Mamman Vatsa, who was executed in 1986 over an alleged coup plot. Also listed were Maryam Sanda, sentenced to death in 2020 for killing her husband, and several inmates whose sentences were either commuted or reduced. In a statement on Thursday, the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), said that although the Council of State had approved the clemency recommendations, no release has been carried out. He noted that the verification and review process is still ongoing to ensure compliance with all legal and procedural standards. “The Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice wishes to clarify that no inmate approved for clemency under the recent exercise of the President’s power of prerogative of mercy has been released from custody,” the statement read. “The process remains at the final administrative stage, which includes a standard review to ensure that all names and recommendations fully comply with established legal and procedural requirements before any instrument of release is issued.” Fagbemi explained that the issuance of release instruments will mark the last step, after which the Controller-General of the Nigerian Correctional Service will be authorized to act. He stressed that the government is committed to transparency, due diligence, and the rule of law. “There is no delay in the process; it is simply following the law to the letter to ensure that only those duly qualified benefit from the President’s mercy,” he said. The minister added that the public will be informed once all necessary legal checks are concluded, noting, “The rule of law does not rush; it ensures fairness.”  

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Tinubu Pardons Maryam Sanda Six Years After Conviction For Killing Husband

Tinubu Pardons Maryam Sanda Six Years After Conviction For Killing Husband

President Bola Tinubu has granted a state pardon to Maryam Sanda, who was sentenced to death in 2020 for killing her husband, Bilyaminu Bello, during a domestic dispute in Abuja. The president’s special adviser on information and strategy, Bayo Onanuga, announced the clemency on Saturday, revealing that Sanda, 37, had regained her freedom after serving six years and eight months at the Suleja Medium Security Custodial Centre. Onanuga explained that the decision followed appeals from her family, who said her release would allow her to properly care for her two young children. He added that her remorse and good conduct in custody also influenced the president’s decision. In January 2020, Justice Yusuf Halilu of the Federal Capital Territory High Court found Sanda guilty of culpable homicide, ruling that she fatally stabbed her husband during an argument at their home. The court concluded that the prosecution had proven its case beyond reasonable doubt. The victim, Bilyaminu Bello, was the son of former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) national chairman, Haliru Bello. Sanda was first arraigned in November 2017 and granted bail on health grounds in 2018 after several failed attempts. Her trial lasted more than two years, marked by frequent adjournments and changes in her legal team. She is among 175 inmates who benefited from President Tinubu’s latest round of clemency and sentence reductions approved earlier this week.  

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Gov. Adeleke grants 53 inmates pardon in Osun

The Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke has granted 53 inmates pardon in the State. Adeleke disclosed this via his X handle formerly Twitter on Wednesday. “In line with the recommendations of the State Advisory Council on Prerogative of Mercy and in exercise of the power conferred on me by paragraph (a), (c) and (d) of subsection (i) of section 212 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (As Amended), I am pleased to extend my grace and mercy unto 53 convicts serving various convictions within the Nigerian Correctional Service. “In the case of inmates convicted of simple offences, I have decided in accordance with the said recommendation to remit and forgive the remainder of the said sentences of the following 30 (thirty ) inmates in whole,” the Governor stated. The inmates that have regained freedom are; Olubo Sunday, Isah Umar Biodun, Fawas Kareem, Omirin Temitope, Olanrewaju Ayomide, Dare Sunday, Oladapo Tunde, Ganiyu Saheed, Adewumi Sodiq, Adebayo Adeoye Kehinde, Lasis Kazeem, Dauda Ojo, Ismaila Raji, Oseni Micheal, Ajayi Korede and Abiona Nurudeen. Others are; Oshi Samuel, Sheu Yusuf Olatunji, Ojo Aanu, Mustapha Kehinde, Lasis Abeeb, Alexandra Iolaha. Ojo Taiwo, Azeez Mujeeb, Akinyemi David, Adeosun Adekunle, Olabaju Samuel, Adura Adefemi, Paul Basil and Kunle David. The Governor also decided in accordance with the said recommendation to grant outright pardon to the following 12 (Twelve) inmates convicted of simple offences. They are; Olabamiji Nurudeen, Mustapha Isah, Olalekan Abdullahi, Ayomide Olojede, Akeem Raphael, Adeyemi Abiodun, Oladipupo Segun, Omisakin Sunday, Ademola Adio, Tunde Olapade. Late Chief Wole Ola Rufus Ojo and Omoloye Olajide Olayemi. In the case of the following 6 (Six) Convicts sentenced to death, the Governor approved the commutation of their sentence from death to outright release while Ojekunle Timothy has his sentence commuted from death sentence to 15 (Fifteen) years imprisonment having spent at least 10 (ten) years in custody. The freed ones are; Oluwafemi Fagbemi, Bewaji Sunday, Amehin George, Ayomide Arulogun, Taiwo Oluwatobi Stephen and Abubarkar Abdulazeez. The following 4 (Four) Convicts also have their sentences commuted from death sentence to outright pardon. They are Sunday Marakinyo, Segun Olowookere, Tunde Olapade and Demola Odeyemi.

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