Tinubu bows to pressure, drops Maryam Sanda, other serious crimes convicts from clemency list

President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday approved a revised list of beneficiaries under his prerogative of mercy, removing individuals convicted of serious crimes, including Maryam Sanda, who was sentenced for killing her husband, as well as others found guilty of kidnapping, drug trafficking, human trafficking, fraud, and unlawful possession of firearms.

According to the instrument of clemency signed by the President, the initial list of 175 beneficiaries has been trimmed to 34, following a review that excluded those convicted of grave offences.

The signing of the revised instrument completes the process of Tinubu’s formal exercise of constitutional powers to grant pardon and clemency to selected convicts deemed deserving of state mercy.

Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, said in a statement on Wednesday that following consultations with the Council of State and consideration of public opinion on the matter, the President directed a further review of the initially approved list in exercise of his discretionary powers under Section 175(1) and (2) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

Onanuga disclosed that those “who had been hitherto pardoned in the old list had their sentences commuted.”

“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. Others who had been hitherto pardoned in the old list had their sentences commuted.”

Onanuga said, “the action became necessary in view of the seriousness and security implications of some of the offences, the need to be sensitive to the feelings of the victims of the crimes and society in general, the need to boost the morale of law enforcement agencies and adherence to bilateral obligations.”

He added that “the concept of justice as a three-way traffic for the Accused, the Victim, and the State/Society also guided the review.”

He disclosed that the approved list of eligible beneficiaries has been transmitted to the Nigerian Correctional Service for implementation in line with the duly signed instruments of release.

“Furthermore, to ensure that future exercises meet public expectations and best practices, the President has 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.

“President Tinubu also directed the Attorney-General of the Federation to issue appropriate Guidelines for the Exercise of the Power of Prerogative of Mercy, which includes compulsory consultation with relevant prosecuting agencies.

“This will ensure that only persons who fully meet the stipulated legal and procedural requirements will henceforth benefit from the issuance of instruments of release,” he said.

The statement noted that President Tinubu appreciated the constructive feedback and engagement from stakeholders and the general public on this matter.

“He also reaffirmed his administration’s broader commitment to judicial reforms and improving the administration of justice in Nigeria.”

Recall that the Presidential pardon had generated huge public outcry over the nature of crimes committed by those earlier pardoned.

Those who opposed the action, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, had warned that the move could undermine Nigeria’s anti-drug efforts, encourage crime, and further tarnish the country’s image in the eyes of the world.

It will be recalled that of the 175 persons granted pardon, drugs related cases were the highest at 29.2%, followed by illegal mining— 24.0%, homicide — 13.5%, fraud/corruption — 12.3%.

Hijacking constitutes 5.8%, while firearms — 2.3%, robbery/theft — 2.3%, kidnapping — 1.8%, human trafficking — 1.8%, while others offences is about 5.8%.

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Also, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) had declared that it finds the action as pathetic and an act of immense national disgrace.

The party said the pardon amounts to a “most irresponsible abuse of the presidential power of prerogative of mercy to grant express pardon to dozens of convicts held for drug trafficking, smuggling, and related offences, especially when most of these convicts have barely served two years in jail for offences that carry a penalty of life imprisonment.

“According to official media statements, it appears that all it takes to get presidential clemency for even the worst of crimes in Nigeria, including drug trafficking, gun running, and murder, is to ‘show remorse and learn skills’.”

The party also noted that pardons and clemency are meant to serve social purposes, correct perceived miscarriages of justice, and benefit convicts who have genuinely paid their debts to society.

The ADC questioned what Nigeria stands to gain from granting clemency to convicts serving life sentences who have barely spent two years behind bars.

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It further observed that Nigeria remains a major transit point for illicit drugs and continues to grapple with a serious national drug abuse crisis, particularly among youths. Several reports indicate that the country’s drug use prevalence stands at an estimated 14.4 percent, nearly three times the global average of 5.5 percent.

“For years, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and other security agencies have risked life and limb to combat this problem, dismantle illicit drug networks, intercept consignments, prosecute offenders, and secure convictions.

“The men and women in these agencies have laboured under enormous risk and pressure to protect the public from the scourge of addiction, trafficking, and related crimes that carry some of the harshest penalties in Nigerian law, precisely because of their devastating impact on public health, youth development, and national security. Granting clemency to individuals convicted under such laws therefore strikes at the very foundation of Nigeria’s legal and moral stance against narcotics and makes a mockery of the gallant efforts of officers fighting the battle against narcotics and illicit drugs.

“The decision to extend clemency to individuals convicted of grave crimes such as drug trafficking, kidnapping, murder, and corruption not only diminishes the sanctity of justice but also sends a dangerous signal to the public and the international community about the values this government upholds.

“At a time when Nigeria continues to reel under the weight of insecurity, moral decay, and a surge in drug-related offences, it is both shocking and indefensible that the presidency would prioritize clemency for those whose actions have directly undermined national stability and social order.

“Particularly worrisome is the revelation that 29.2% percent of those pardoned were convicted for drug-related crimes at a time when our youth are being destroyed by narcotics, and our nation is still struggling to cleanse its image from the global stain of drug offences.

“Even more disturbing is the moral irony that this act of clemency is coming from a President whose own past remains clouded by unresolved and unexplained issues relating to the forfeiture of thousands of dollars to the United States government over drug-related investigations. It is, therefore, no surprise that this administration continues to demonstrate a worrying tolerance for individuals associated with criminal enterprise,” it stated.