There are strong indications that the Federal Government may drop some names from President Bola Tinubu’s recent presidential pardon list following public outrage over the inclusion of certain high-profile and violent offenders.
Attorney-General of the Federation, Prince Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), confirmed on Thursday that the list, earlier approved by the Council of State, is still under review and no inmate has been released.
The initial list, which included 175 convicts and former convicts such as Maryam Sanda, Maj. Gen. Mamman Vatsa, Ken Saro-Wiwa, and others, sparked widespread criticism.
Many Nigerians questioned why individuals convicted of murder, kidnapping, and drug offences were granted clemency.
READ ALSO: When Mercy Becomes Misrule: Tinubu’s Pardon and the Politics of Forgiving the Guilty
Sources disclosed that anti-graft and security agencies — including the EFCC, NDLEA, and ICPC — have raised objections, alleging that some unqualified names were “smuggled” into the list without proper vetting.
Fagbemi assured that the review aims to ensure transparency and compliance with legal procedures before any release is approved.
He noted that the process is still at the final administrative stage and emphasized that only deserving beneficiaries will benefit from the President’s mercy.