The Council of State, on Thursday, approved the exercise of the presidential prerogative of mercy for 175 persons across various categories.
The decision followed a presentation by the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), who conveyed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s recommendations based on the report of the Advisory Committee on the Prerogative of Mercy. The meeting was held at the State House, Abuja.
Although the full list of beneficiaries has yet to be published, reliable sources revealed that the posthumous pardons include those of Nigerian nationalist and founding father, Herbert Macaulay, and former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory under the Babangida regime, Maj.-Gen. Mamman Vatsa (retd.). Members of the Ogoni Nine and Ogoni Four are also reported to be among the beneficiaries.
“Macaulay and Vatsa are two of the major figures granted posthumous pardons,” a source who attended the meeting told our correspondent.
Herbert Macaulay, widely regarded as the “Father of Nigerian Nationalism,” was twice convicted by colonial authorities in Lagos. In 1913, he was imprisoned for allegedly misappropriating estate funds—a case many historians consider unjust. In 1928, his newspaper, the Lagos Daily News, published reports critical of the colonial government during the Eleko of Lagos agitation, leading to his conviction for sedition and a six-month jail term with hard labour.
Maj.-Gen. Mamman Vatsa, a poet, former minister, and member of the Supreme Military Council, was executed on March 5, 1986, after being convicted of treason over an alleged coup plot against then Head of State, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida, his childhood friend. His execution has remained one of the most controversial in Nigeria’s history, with recurring calls for a posthumous pardon.
Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State, while briefing journalists after the meeting, disclosed that 82 inmates received full pardons, 65 had their sentences reduced, and seven death sentences were commuted to life imprisonment.
According to Sani, “The decision underscores President Tinubu’s commitment to justice, fairness, and correctional reform.”
The Council also ratified key appointments, including the approval of Dr. Aminu Yusuf from Niger State as Chairman of the National Population Commission (NPC) and Tonge Bularafa as Federal Commissioner representing Yobe State. Both nominations were unanimously endorsed by the Council.