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By, John Okokobioko President Bola Tinubu has withdrawn the pardon earlier granted to 175 convicts, including drug traffickers, kidnappers and fraudsters. YOUNEWS understand the decision followed consultations with the Council of State and public feedback, undertaken “in furtherance of the President’s discretionary powers under Section 175(1) and (2) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).” This came as the President ordered a review of the pardon granted at the National Council of State meeting on October 9, 2025. A statement issued Wednesday by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said The review, contained in four separate documents (1)Pardon, (2)Clemency, (3)Reduced Terms of Imprisonment, and (4)Commutation of Death Sentences. YOU & NEWS is aware that delisted individuals convicted of serious crimes such as drug trafficking, kidnapping, human trafficking and armed robbery from the original roll, while retaining only 15 full pardons largely confined to historic or non-violent cases. Among those removed are Maryam Sanda, previously marked for a full pardon but now listed under a reduced term of 12 years imprisonment, and several drug convicts whose clemency was withdrawn entirely. The final Presidential Pardon list contains 15 names, down from 82 previously. It retained four contemporary corruption-related beneficiaries: Anastasia Nwaobia, Hussaini Umar, Ayinla Alanamu and Farouk Lawan, alongside the historic cases of Herbert Macaulay, Maj.-Gen. Mamman Vatsa and the Ogoni Nine activists were executed in 1995. However, at least 55 recipients, including Nweke Chibueze, Dr. Nwogu Peters, and Abiodun Elemero, no longer appear in any of the four final lists. The individuals had previously been marked for pardon despite convictions for cocaine importation and fraud. Fifteen inmates serving various prison terms were granted clemency based on good conduct, remorse, and rehabilitation. They include Oroka Michael Chibueze, Adesanya Olufemi Paul, Daniel Bodunwa, Hamza Abubakar, Buhari Sani, Mohammed Musa, Muharazu Abubakar, Ibrahim Yusuf, Saad Ahmed Madaki, Ex-Corporal Michael Bawa, Richard Ayuba, Adam Abubakar, Emmanuel Yusuf, Chinedu Stanley, and Johnny Ntheru Udor. The Presidency said these individuals had either completed vocational training or demonstrated exceptional discipline during their incarceration, making them suitable for early release or reduced sentences. In the category of death sentences commuted to life imprisonment, four inmates: Emmanuel Baba, Abubakar Usman, Khalifa Umar, and Mohammed Umar, were spared the death penalty. The Presidency explained that their sentences were reduced after a review of their records, which showed consistent good behaviour, remorse, and participation in rehabilitation programmes. This, it said, aligns with Nigeria’s gradual shift toward restorative justice rather than retributive punishment. The Presidential Pardon (Grant of Pardon), 2025 category featured 15 names, including four living Nigerians and several posthumous cases regarded as symbolic redress for historical injustices. Among the living beneficiaries are former public officials Mrs. Anastasia Nwaobia, Hussaini Alhaji Umar, Ayinla Saadu Alanamu, and Farouk Lawan, all of whom were convicted for corruption-related offences but have served their sentences. Others on the pardon roll are Herbert Macaulay and Major-General Mamman Jiya Vatsa, both honoured posthumously, as well as the nine executed Ogoni activists: Ken Saro-Wiwa, Saturday Dobee, Nordu Eawo, Daniel Gbooko, Paul Levera, Felix Nuale, Baribor Bera, Barinem Kiobel, and John Kpuine. Persons granted reduced terms of imprisonment and sentence include: Yusuf Owolabi, convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to life imprisonment, who had served 10 years. His sentence was reduced to 15 years based on educational improvement, remorsefulness, and the acquisition of vocational skills. Ifeanyi Eze, convicted for manslaughter and having served four years of a life sentence, had his term reduced to 15 years based on similar grounds. Malam Ibrahim Sulaiman, convicted of armed robbery and unlawful possession of a firearm, was sentenced to life imprisonment and had served two years and five months. His sentence was reduced to 15 years in recognition of his good conduct and remorse. Patrick Mensah, Obi Chukwu, Tunde Balogun, Lima Diego, Uchegbu Michael, Salawu Samsudeen, Napolo Osariemen, Odeyemi Omolara, and Dias Santos Christiana, all convicted for drug-related offences, had their sentences reduced on grounds of educational improvement, remorsefulness, acquisition of vocational skills, deportation consideration, and/or old age. Ibrahim Hameed, convicted for obtaining property under false pretence, was sentenced to seven years and had served three years. His sentence was reduced to five years based on remorsefulness and old age. Isaac Justina, Aishat Kehinde, Helen Solomon, Okoye Tochukwu, and Ugwu Eze Paul, convicted for offences related to cannabis sativa, had their sentences reduced on grounds of remorsefulness and vocational training. Mustapha Ahmed, convicted of criminal breach of trust and sentenced to seven years without an option of fine, had served two years and ten months. His sentence was reduced to five years based on good conduct and remorsefulness. Abubakar Mamman, sentenced to ten years for possession of firearms (AK-47), had served five years. His sentence was reduced to seven years for good conduct and remorsefulness. Muhammed Bello Musa, sentenced to ten years for possession of firearms, had served five years. His sentence was also reduced to seven years for good conduct. Nnamdi Anene, convicted for illegal dealing in firearms and sentenced to life imprisonment, had served 15 years. His sentence was reduced to 20 years based on remorsefulness, good conduct, and vocational skill acquisition. Abubakar Tanko, convicted of culpable homicide and sentenced to 30 years, had served seven years. His sentence was reduced to 20 years for good conduct and remorsefulness. Innocent Brown Idiong, convicted for possession of 700 grams of Indian hemp, was sentenced to ten years and had served four years and three months. His sentence was reduced to six years due to remorse and old age. Iniobong Nuikidem, convicted for obtaining money by false pretence and sentenced to eight years, had served three years and four months. Her sentence was reduced to five years in recognition of her remorse. Ada Audu, convicted of fraud and sentenced to seven years, had served two years and seven months. Her sentence was reduced to four years on account of old age and remorsefulness. Bula Adamu, convicted for advance fee fraud and sentenced to 20 years, had served five years and two months. His sentence was reduced to nine years based on good conduct and remorsefulness. Chukwuelu Sunday Calistus, convicted for drug offences and sentenced to life imprisonment, had his sentence reduced to 20 years for good conduct and remorsefulness. Markus Yusuf, convicted of culpable homicide and sentenced to 13 years, had his sentence reduced to nine years based on ill health. Samson Ajayi, convicted for drug offences and sentenced to 15 years, had his term reduced to ten years based on remorsefulness, vocational training, and good conduct. Rakiya Bleida, convicted of theft and cheating, was sentenced to seven years without an option of a fine. Her sentence was reduced to five years for good conduct. Jonathan Alatoru, convicted of conspiracy to cheat and sentenced to seven years, will now serve six years due to remorse and age. Seventy-year-old Umana Ekaette Umana, convicted of forgery, was sentenced to ten years. Utom Udoaka, convicted of obtaining money by false pretence and sentenced to seven years, had served four years and two months. Her sentence was reduced to six years on account of remorsefulness and old age. Frank Inshort Abaka, Sluna Aolo, David Akinseye, Ahmed Toyin, Shobojo Saheed, Adamoje Philip, Mathew Masi, Bright Ayedegyi, and Babangida Saliu were all convicted of conspiracy to hijack a fishing vessel and sentenced to 12 years and a N4m fine. Their sentences were reduced to eight years, and the fines were waived in recognition of their remorse and impecuniosity. Thirty-nine-year-old Adamu Sanni was sentenced to three years’ imprisonment for unlawful misappropriation and had served one year of that sentence. His sentence was reduced to two years based on remorsefulness, good conduct, and an undertaking signed on 2 April 2025 by Senator Ikran Bilbis for rehabilitation and empowerment after release. Thirty-year-old Abdulkareem Salisu was sentenced to three years for unlawful misappropriation and had served one year of that sentence. His term was also reduced to two years on similar grounds. Abdulaziz Lawal, Abdulrahman Babangida, Muharazu Alidu, Zaharadeen Baliue, Babangida Usman, Zayyanu Abdullahi, Imam Suleman, Abbeeb Amisu, Lawani Lurwanu, Yusuf Alhassan, Abdullahi Isah, Zayanu Bello, Habeeb Suleman, Shefiu Umar, Seidu Abubakar, Haruna Abubakar, Rabiu Seidu, Macha Kuru, Zahraadeen Aminu, Nazipi Musa, Abdullahi Musa, Habibu Safiu, Husseini Sani, Musa Lawali, Suleiman Lawale, Yusuf Iliyasu, Sabiyu Aliyu, Haliru Sani, Shittu Aliyu, Sanusi Aminu, Isiaka Adamu, Mamman Ibrahim, Shaibu Abdullahi, Sanusi Adamu, Sadi Musa, and Haruna Isa, all convicted for unlawful mining, had their sentences reduced on grounds of remorsefulness, good conduct, and undertakings signed on 2 April 2025 by Senator Ikran Bilbis for rehabilitation and empowerment after release.
