Femi Falana urges review of Tinubu’s 175 pardon list

Femi Falana calls on the Federal Government to review Tinubu’s 175 pardon list, citing concerns over justice, morality, and public confidence

Femi Falana, a prominent human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), has called on the Federal Government to withdraw and review the list of 175 persons recently recommended for presidential pardon by President Bola Tinubu.

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In a statement issued Thursday evening, Falana said that while the president has the constitutional authority to grant pardons, the latest exercise requires urgent re-examination “in the interest of justice and national morality.”

President Tinubu had, following approval by the Council of State, granted posthumous pardon to nationalist Sir Herbert Macaulay and environmentalist Ken Saro-Wiwa, alongside Major General Mamman Vatsa, who was executed in 1986.

However, the inclusion of certain controversial figures, such as Maryam Sanda, who was sentenced to death in 2020 for killing her husband, has sparked widespread debate.

Falana argued that the current list appears to include politically exposed persons, alleged drug barons, armed robbers, terrorists, and others convicted of serious state offences, including culpable homicide and murder.

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He maintained that such inclusions risk undermining the moral integrity of the clemency process.

“Following the recommendation of the Prerogative of Mercy Committee headed by the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, President Bola Tinubu recently granted pardon to 175 persons convicted for various offences,” the statement read.

“It is indisputable that the President is empowered by Section 175 of the Constitution to grant pardons and commutations. However, the list includes convicted politically exposed persons, drug barons, armed robbers, and terrorists.”

Falana urged the government to act swiftly, warning that a failure to revisit the list could erode public trust.

“The Federal Government should withdraw and review the list of pardonees without any delay in the interest of justice and national morality,” he said.

He further advised the Prerogative of Mercy Committee to encourage state governors to grant pardons only to those convicted of state offences, in line with Section 212 of the Constitution.

Meanwhile, the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, clarified in an earlier statement that no inmate has yet been released, stressing that the list is still undergoing final administrative review.

He explained that the process involves verifying each beneficiary to ensure compliance with legal and procedural standards before any formal release instruments are issued.

“The process remains at the final administrative stage, which includes a standard review to ensure that all names fully comply with established requirements,” Fagbemi stated.

He added that only after the issuance of the instrument of implementation will the Controller-General of the Nigerian Correctional Service be authorised to act on the pardons.

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As public debate continues, Femi Falana’s intervention has reignited national discussions about justice, accountability, and the moral balance of presidential clemency in Nigeria.

Quadri Olaitan

Quadri Olaitan is a journalist and contributor to Freelanews.com, covering news, public affairs, and human-interest stories.