President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has signed instruments of clemency and pardon for selected individuals convicted of various offences, completing the formal process of exercising his constitutional power of prerogative of mercy.
The President’s decision followed consultations with the Council of State and a further review of an earlier approved list in response to public opinion.
The review was undertaken in line with the provisions of Section 175(1) and (2) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
According to a statement issued on Wednesday,October 29,2025,by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, the president, ordered that persons convicted of serious crimes such as kidnapping, drug-related offences, human trafficking, fraud, and illegal arms dealing be removed from the list of beneficiaries.
Some others previously recommended for full pardon had their sentences commuted instead.
Onanuga explained that the decision was guided by national security considerations, the need to be sensitive to victims of crimes, and the importance of sustaining the morale of law enforcement agencies.
He added that President Tinubu’s action also reflected Nigeria’s commitment to bilateral obligations and the principle of justice as a “three-way traffic” involving the accused, the victim, and the state.
The approved list of eligible beneficiaries has already been transmitted to the Nigerian Correctional Service for implementation.
The President 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.
He also mandated the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice to issue new guidelines for future exercises of the presidential prerogative of mercy.
The guidelines will make consultation with relevant prosecuting agencies compulsory before any recommendation is made.
Onanuga said the move is aimed at ensuring that only individuals who meet all stipulated legal and procedural requirements benefit from future clemency exercises.
President Tinubu expressed appreciation for the constructive feedback and engagement from stakeholders and the general public on the matter.
He also reaffirmed his administration’s broader commitment to judicial reforms and improving the administration of justice in Nigeria.
Below is the full press release👇👇👇:
STATEHOUSE PRESS RELEASE
PRESIDENT TINUBU SIGNS INSTRUMENT OF CLEMENCY AND PARDONS, MOVES SECRETARIAT OF PREROGATIVE OF MERCY COMMITTEE TO JUSTICE MINISTRY
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, has executed the relevant instruments of release to complete the process of formally exercising his constitutional power of prerogative of mercy to grant pardon and clemency to specific individuals who were earlier convicted for various offences.
Following consultations with the Council of State and public opinion on the matter, the President directed a further review of the initially approved list for consideration in furtherance of the President’s discretionary powers under Section 175(1)(&(2) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
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.
This 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. The concept of justice as a three-way traffic for the Accused, the Victim, and the State/Society also guided the review.
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.
The President appreciated the constructive feedback and engagement from stakeholders and the general public on this matter.
President Tinubu also reaffirmed his administration’s broader commitment to judicial reforms and improving the administration of justice in Nigeria.
Bayo Onanuga
Special Adviser to the President
(Information & Strategy)
October 29, 2025
