President Tinubu reforms Nigeria’s clemency process, removes serious offenders from pardon list, and relocates mercy secretariat to the Justice Ministry
President Tinubu Clemency Order has ushered in a new chapter for Nigeria’s justice and mercy system, as President Bola Ahmed Tinubu signed the formal instruments of release granting pardon and clemency to selected individuals while removing those convicted of grave offences.
Also read: Bola Tinubu revokes Maryam Sanda’s presidential pardon
The President’s action follows wide consultations with the Council of State and careful consideration of public opinion.
Exercising his constitutional powers under Section 175(1) and (2) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), Tinubu ordered a comprehensive review of the previously approved pardon list.
As part of the review, individuals convicted of serious crimes — including kidnapping, drug-related offences, human trafficking, fraud, and unlawful possession or trade in firearms — were deleted from the list.
Others who had earlier been granted pardons under the old regime have now had their sentences commuted instead.
According to a statement issued on Tuesday by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, the decision was guided by the “three-way traffic” concept of justice — balancing fairness to the accused, the victim, and the state or society.
The Presidency explained that the deletions became necessary given the *ecurity implications of such offences, the need to respect victims’ rights, and the imperative to boost the morale of law enforcement agencies.
In a significant structural reform, President Tinubu also directed 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 move aims to ensure that future clemency exercises align with public expectations, legal best practices, and transparent procedures.
The President further instructed the Attorney-General of the Federation to issue detailed Guidelines for the Exercise of the Power of Prerogative of Mercy, mandating compulsory consultation with relevant prosecuting agencies.
Under the new framework, only individuals who fully satisfy legal and procedural standards will be eligible for presidential clemency.
The approved list of eligible beneficiaries has already been transmitted to the Nigerian Correctional Service for implementation in line with the newly signed instruments of release.
Also read: Bola Tinubu revokes Maryam Sanda’s presidential pardon
President Tinubu also expressed appreciation for the constructive public engagement surrounding the matter, reaffirming his administration’s commitment to judicial reforms and the improvement of Nigeria’s justice system.
