The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), on Wednesday explained why President Bola Tinubu revised the initial list of 175 convicts considered for presidential pardon.
He said the adjustment aimed to ensure that only those who met legal and procedural criteria benefitted from the prerogative of mercy. According to him, the process has been finalized and the President has approved the final list of beneficiaries.
“During this final review, few persons earlier recommended were found not to have met the necessary requirements and were accordingly delisted, while in some other cases, sentences were reviewed and reduced to reflect fairness, justice, and the spirit of the exercise,” the AGF stated in a personally signed release made available to journalists.
A copy of the list obtained by Vanguard revealed that out of 86 persons whose sentences were reduced by President Tinubu, one of the most notable names was Maryam Sanda, daughter-in-law of a former Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who was sentenced to death for culpable homicide.
An Abuja High Court had on January 27, 2020, sentenced Maryam to death by hanging after she was found guilty of killing her husband, Bilyamin Bello, in 2017. Having served six years and eight months at the Suleja Correctional Centre, her sentence has now been reduced to 12 years “based on compassionate ground, in the best interest of the children, good conduct, embraced new lifestyle, model to prisoners and remorsefulness.”
Also listed was Chukwukelu Sunday Calistus, whose life imprisonment for drug-related offences was reduced to 20 years after serving 11 years.
Yusuf Owolabi, sentenced to life imprisonment in 2015 for manslaughter, had his term reduced to 15 years after serving 10 years. Similarly, Ifeanyi Eze, jailed for the same offence, had his sentence reduced to 15 years after four years in prison.
Mallam Ibrahim Sulaiman, convicted of armed robbery and illegal possession of firearms, will now serve 15 years instead of life imprisonment after already serving two.
Other beneficiaries include Samson Ajayi, whose 15-year jail term in 2022 was cut to 10 years, and Alhaji Abubakar Tanko, whose 30-year sentence for culpable homicide was reduced to 20 years after serving seven.
Nnamdi Anene, convicted in 2010 for illegal arms dealings and sentenced to life imprisonment, will now serve 20 years.
The remaining convicts were sentenced for offences such as unlawful mining, forgery, fraud, conspiracy to hijack vessels, criminal breach of trust, and possession of cannabis. Authorities noted that the beneficiaries demonstrated remorse, maintained good conduct, and acquired skills or education while in custody.
In addition, the federal government released three other lists: 15 people granted clemency, 15 historical figures such as Ken Saro-Wiwa and Herbert Macaulay granted posthumous pardons, and four individuals whose death sentences were commuted to life imprisonment.
Announcing the conclusion of the Presidential Prerogative of Mercy exercise, the AGF said the review reflected President Tinubu’s effort “to balance justice with compassion and the belief that justice must not only punish, but also reform and redeem.”
He added: “The review was undertaken with meticulous commitment to due process to reinforce the administration’s broader commitment to justice reform and humane correctional practices in line with international standards.
“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.
“The President has further 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.
“I commend the public for their patience and constructive engagement throughout the process, and assure Nigerians that the government remains steadfast in promoting a justice system that upholds human dignity while safeguarding national security and social order,” the AGF said.
