President Bola Tinubu has ordered the removal of Maryam Sanda — who was sentenced to death in 2020 for killing her husband, Bilyaminu Bello — from the presidential pardon list, alongside several other individuals convicted of serious crimes.
In a major policy move announced on Tuesday, the President also directed that persons convicted of severe offences such as kidnapping, drug trafficking, human trafficking, fraud, and illegal firearms possession or dealing be deleted from the list of those earlier approved for clemency.
A statement issued by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said Tinubu signed the Instruments of Clemency and Pardon after reviewing the list in consultation with the Council of State and in response to public feedback.
“Consequently, certain persons convicted of serious crimes such as kidnapping, drug-related offences, human trafficking, fraud, unlawful possession of firearms/arms dealing, etc, were deleted from the list,” the statement read. “Others who had been hitherto pardoned in the old list had their sentences commuted.”
The review, according to the presidency, was guided by considerations of national security, justice for victims, and the need to uphold public confidence in law enforcement. Tinubu emphasized that justice must be “a three-way traffic” involving the accused, the victims, and society.
To enhance transparency in future exercises, President Tinubu also ordered 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.
The Attorney-General of the Federation has been directed to issue new guidelines for the exercise of presidential mercy, including mandatory consultation with prosecuting agencies before recommendations are approved.
The approved list of eligible beneficiaries has already been transmitted to the Nigerian Correctional Service for implementation.
President Tinubu expressed appreciation for the public’s constructive engagement on the matter and reiterated his administration’s commitment to judicial reforms and improving the administration of justice in Nigeria.
The new list:
