President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has significantly reduced the number of convicts slated for presidential pardon, cutting the list from 175 to just 34.
The decision follows widespread public criticism over the inclusion of individuals convicted of serious crimes such as murder, kidnapping, and drug-related offences.
In a statement released on Wednesday by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Tinubu formally exercised his constitutional power of prerogative of mercy by signing the instruments of release for the revised list of beneficiaries.
According to Onanuga, the President’s action was guided by consultations with the Council of State and feedback from the public. The review was conducted under the discretionary powers granted by Section 175(1) and (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,” the statement read.