Tinubu grants presidential clemency, reviews pardon list, and moves the Prerogative of Mercy Committee to the Justice Ministry for transparency.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has officially signed the Instruments of Clemency and Pardon, marking the completion of a constitutional process that grants mercy to selected individuals previously convicted of various offences.
According to a statement issued on Tuesday, October 29, 2025, by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, the action follows extensive consultations with the Council of State and the general public.
President Tinubu, exercising his constitutional powers under Section 175(1) & (2) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), reviewed the initial list of pardon recipients to ensure that the process reflects justice, fairness, and national security interests.
As part of the review, individuals convicted of grave offences including kidnapping, drug trafficking, human trafficking, financial fraud, and illegal possession or dealing in firearms were removed from the list. Some previously pardoned individuals also had their sentences reduced instead of full clemency.
The President’s decision, the statement noted, was guided by the three-way principle of justice considering the rights and interests of the accused, the victims, and the state. This approach aims to uphold public trust, respect victims’ feelings, support law enforcement morale, and align with Nigeria’s international obligations.
The final, approved list of beneficiaries has been forwarded to the Nigerian Correctional Service for immediate implementation in line with the signed instruments of release.
In a move to enhance transparency and accountability in future exercises, President Tinubu directed the 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.
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Additionally, the President instructed the Attorney-General of the Federation to issue new Guidelines for the Exercise of the Power of Prerogative of Mercy. The new framework will require mandatory consultations with relevant prosecuting agencies to ensure that only qualified individuals meeting strict legal and procedural standards benefit from future clemency grants.
President Tinubu expressed appreciation to stakeholders and citizens for their constructive engagement on the issue and reaffirmed his administration’s unwavering commitment to judicial reforms and the improvement of Nigeria’s justice system.