The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), has directed a comprehensive multi-agency review of the proposed presidential pardon list following concerns over alleged irregularities in the selection process.
The review, which involves the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), and the Nigeria Police Force, is expected to result in the removal of several nominees found ineligible.
PUNCH Sources confirmed that President Bola Tinubu is awaiting the submission of the vetted list for final approval as the government moves to ensure that only qualified beneficiaries are granted clemency.
Earlier this month, the Attorney-General had announced that President Tinubu, exercising his constitutional powers, approved clemency for 175 persons convicted of various offences. Those listed included illegal miners, white-collar offenders, drug convicts, foreigners, as well as posthumous pardons for Maj. Gen. Mamman Vatsa, Prof. Magaji Garba, Ken Saro-Wiwa, and the Ogoni Eight.
The full list, released by the Presidency on October 11, 2025, was divided into six categories: those granted pardon, posthumous pardon (including the Ogoni Nine), victims of the Ogoni Nine honoured, clemency beneficiaries, inmates recommended for reduced sentences, and inmates on death row whose sentences were commuted to life imprisonment.
However, controversy trailed the list shortly after its publication, as security and anti-graft agencies reportedly objected to the inclusion of certain high-profile offenders. The EFCC, ICPC, NDLEA, and the police were said to have intervened to prevent the release of some individuals under ongoing investigation.
Following the backlash, Fagbemi clarified on October 16 that the presidential pardon had not been finalised, describing it as “still under review.”
According to government officials, some low-level committee members allegedly inserted names not originally recommended for clemency.
“Some names were smuggled in without following the established criteria,” a senior official familiar with the process revealed. “The President was not aware of several entries now under scrutiny. Thankfully, those individuals have not been released.”
Multiple high-level government sources confirmed that the Office of the Attorney-General has distributed the list to relevant agencies for background checks to avoid the recurrence of past controversies involving questionable pardons.
“The review is deliberate,” one senior official said. “Every agency is conducting a thorough integrity test before the final list goes to the President.”
Another Presidency source disclosed that more than half of the names could be dropped after the screening exercise.
“Many nominees will not make the final list once the security agencies complete their findings,” the source said. “The President is determined to ensure that no one with unresolved corruption or criminal charges benefits from the process.”
Preliminary reports from the EFCC, NDLEA, and ICPC are said to have already flagged several names of concern, including individuals facing active investigations.
When contacted, the Special Assistant on Communication and Publicity to the Attorney-General, Kamorudeen Ogundele, confirmed the review.
“Yes, the process is ongoing. The Ministry of Justice is working with relevant agencies to ensure due diligence and compliance with all legal and ethical standards,” Ogundele said.
Findings indicate that the renewed scrutiny was triggered by concerns that some recommended individuals had pending corruption or drug-related cases before law enforcement agencies.
Some politically exposed persons on the list—such as Herbert Macaulay and Farouk Lawan—may scale through, as they were not associated with violent or security-related crimes. However, others like Maryam Sanda, convicted in 2017 for the murder of her husband, Bilyaminu Bello, remain under review.
While some members of Bello’s family publicly rejected her inclusion, both families later held a joint press conference expressing acceptance of the presidential clemency.
Other names on the list include Major Alabi Akubo, sentenced to life imprisonment for illegal possession of firearms, and notorious kidnapper Kelvin Prosper Oniarah, linked to abduction rings across Delta, Edo, Rivers, Abia, Benue, and Oyo States.
A top government source emphasised that the review process aims to preserve the integrity of the presidential pardon.
“This administration is committed to transparency. No name will be approved without clearance from all relevant agencies,” the source stated.
The final list, after all security and integrity checks are concluded, will be submitted to President Tinubu for his final endorsement.
