President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has granted presidential pardons to several high-profile Nigerians, including Nigeria’s founding father Herbert Macaulay, former FCT Minister Major General Mamman Vatsa, and the iconic Ogoni Nine, in a landmark move to promote justice, reconciliation, and national healing.
The presidential clemency was announced following the endorsement of the National Council of State in Abuja on Thursday. This decision was based on recommendations from the Presidential Advisory Committee on the Prerogative of Mercy (PACPM), which reviewed the cases of hundreds of inmates and former convicts.
Historic Presidential Pardon for Herbert Macaulay and Mamman Vatsa
Among those granted posthumous pardons is Herbert Macaulay, one of Nigeria’s foremost nationalists and founding fathers. Macaulay was twice convicted by the colonial British government, including a controversial 1913 case involving misappropriation of estate funds. His pardon has been described by historians as a long-overdue correction of colonial injustice.
Also pardoned was Major General Mamman Vatsa (retd.), a former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) under General Ibrahim Babangida’s regime. Vatsa was executed in 1986 after being convicted of treason in a military tribunal. His pardon ends decades of controversy surrounding the fairness of his trial and sentence.
Tinubu Pardons Ogoni Nine and Awards Honours to Ogoni Four
In a gesture of national reconciliation, President Tinubu also granted a posthumous presidential pardon to the Ogoni Nine, including renowned environmental activist Ken Saro-Wiwa. The group, executed in 1995 during the military regime of General Sani Abacha, had long been viewed as victims of state oppression.
In addition, national honours were posthumously awarded to the Ogoni Four—Chief Albert Badey, Chief Edward Kobani, Chief Samuel Orage, and Theophilus Orage—for their leadership and sacrifices.
Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, Farouk Lawan Among Other Clemency Beneficiaries
A posthumous pardon was also granted to Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, Nigeria’s first President and a leading figure of the National Council of Nigeria and the Cameroons (NCNC). Other notable individuals pardoned include:
- Farouk Lawan, former House of Representatives member
- Anastasia Daniel Nwaobia
- Barrister Hussaini Umar
- Ayinla Saadu Alanamu
- Dr. Nwogu Peters, who served 12 of a 17-year sentence for fraud
- Nweke Francis Chibueze, serving a life sentence for cocaine trafficking
Clemency Extended to 82 Inmates, Death Sentences Commuted
In a broader exercise of presidential mercy powers, Tinubu approved clemency for 82 inmates, commuted seven death sentences to life imprisonment, and reduced the sentences of 65 inmates across the country.
The PACPM, chaired by the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), evaluated 294 cases. Of these, 160 were male and 15 were female inmates. The committee recommended clemency for inmates based on various humanitarian and rehabilitative grounds including:
- Old age (60 years and above)
- Terminal illness
- Youth (16 years and below)
- Long-term incarceration (10+ years)
- Good conduct and vocational training in prison
Strengthening Nigeria’s Justice and Rehabilitation System
The PACPM, inaugurated by Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, in January 2025, was tasked with promoting justice, human rights, and social reintegration in Nigeria’s criminal justice system.
The committee included legal experts, human rights representatives, religious bodies (CAN and NSCIA), and correctional service authorities.
