President Bola Tinubu has approved a revised version of the 2025 Presidential Pardon and Clemency list, cutting the number of beneficiaries from 175 to 120 after widespread criticism of the initial publication.
The review, according to Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), followed public feedback and consultations with the National Council of State. Several high-profile names were deleted from the original list, including convicts found guilty of serious crimes such as drug trafficking, kidnapping, human trafficking, fraud, and illegal possession of firearms.
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The Presidency stated that the decision was guided by justice, national security implications, and respect for victims of crime. Below is the full breakdown of those delisted and those retained under the revised presidential pardon and clemency.
Delisted from the pardon list:
Maryam Sanda, convicted in 2020 for killing her husband, Bilyaminu Bello, was removed from the full pardon category and reclassified under a reduced 12-year prison term. Other delisted individuals include Nweke Chibueze, Dr. Nwogu Peters, and Abiodun Elemero, all previously marked for pardon despite convictions for cocaine importation and fraud
Full presidential pardons (15 persons):
The revised list retained only 15 full pardons, mostly historic or non-violent cases. They include Anastasia Nwaobia, Hussaini Alhaji Umar, Ayinla Saadu Alanamu, and Farouk Lawan, all former public officials convicted of corruption. Others are posthumous pardons for Herbert Macaulay, Maj.-Gen. Mamman Vatsa, and the Ogoni Nine activists — Ken Saro-Wiwa, Saturday Dobee, Nordu Eawo, Daniel Gbooko, Paul Levera, Felix Nuale, Baribor Bera, Barinem Kiobel, and John Kpuine.
Clemency for good conduct and rehabilitation (15 inmates):
Beneficiaries 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. These inmates were considered for clemency based on demonstrated discipline, remorse, and vocational achievements.
Commutation of death sentences to life imprisonment (4 inmates):
Emmanuel Baba, Abubakar Usman, Khalifa Umar, and Mohammed Umar were spared the death penalty following a review of their prison records showing consistent good behaviour and rehabilitation.
Reduced terms of imprisonment:
The revised list includes dozens whose sentences were reduced based on age, good conduct, and educational improvement. They include:
a. Yusuf Owolabi and Ifeanyi Eze (manslaughter) – life imprisonment reduced to 15 years each.
b. Malam Ibrahim Sulaiman (armed robbery and unlawful possession of firearm) – life imprisonment reduced to 15 years.
c. Patrick Mensah, Obi Chukwu, Tunde Balogun, Lima Diego, Uchegbu Michael, Salawu Samsudeen, Napolo Osariemen, Odeyemi Omolara, and Dias Santos Christiana (drug-related offences) – terms reduced for good behaviour and remorse.
d. Ibrahim Hameed (fraud) – seven years reduced to five.
e. Mustapha Ahmed (criminal breach of trust) – seven years reduced to five.
f. Abubakar Mamman and Muhammed Bello Musa (possession of firearms) – ten years reduced to seven.
g. Nnamdi Anene (illegal arms dealing) – life imprisonment reduced to 20 years.
h. Abubakar Tanko (culpable homicide) – 30 years reduced to 20.
i. Innocent Brown Idiong (possession of Indian hemp) – ten years reduced to six.
j. Iniobong Nuikidem (fraud) – eight years reduced to five.
k. Ada Audu (fraud) – seven years reduced to four.
Clemency for age, remorse, and ill health:
a. Rakiya Bleida (theft and cheating) – seven years reduced to five.
b. Jonathan Alatoru (conspiracy to cheat) – seven years reduced to six.
c. Umana Ekaette Umana (forgery) – ten years reduced due to old age.
d. Utom Udoaka (obtaining money by false pretence) – seven years reduced to six.
e. Markus Yusuf (culpable homicide) – 13 years reduced to nine.
Clemency for special cases (illegal mining):
Thirty-six individuals convicted of illegal mining were granted reduced sentences after signing rehabilitation undertakings on April 2, 2025, under Senator Ikran Bilbis. They include 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.
Clemency for hijacking convicts (9 persons):
Frank Inshort Abaka, Sluna Aolo, David Akinseye, Ahmed Toyin, Shobojo Saheed, Adamoje Philip, Mathew Masi, Bright Ayedegyi, and Babangida Saliu, earlier sentenced to 12 years and fined N4 million for conspiracy to hijack a fishing vessel, had their sentences reduced to eight years, while their fines were waived.
Clemency for unlawful misappropriation (2 persons):
Adamu Sanni and Abdulkareem Salisu, both sentenced to three years, will now serve two years each after Senator Ikran Bilbis signed undertakings for their rehabilitation and empowerment upon release.
The Presidency said the review was meant to correct errors and ensure that only qualified convicts benefit from mercy.
