President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has granted posthumous pardons to former Nigerian nationalist and co-founder of the National Council of Nigeria and the Cameroons (NCNC), Dr. Herbert Macaulay, and former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Major General Mamman Vatsa, among others.
Vatsa, a poet and military officer executed in 1986 over a treason charge, was among 17 individuals granted presidential pardon following the endorsement of the National Council of State, which met in Abuja on Thursday.
According to a statement by Presidential Spokesperson Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu also pardoned Herbert Macaulay, who, along with Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, co-founded the NCNC—Nigeria’s first major political party that played a key role in the country’s independence struggle. Macaulay was unjustly convicted by British colonial authorities in 1913 and banned from public office until his death in 1946.
Other beneficiaries of the presidential clemency include Farouk Lawan, a former member of the House of Representatives; Mrs. Anastasia Daniel Nwaobia; Barrister Hussaini Umar; and Ayinla Saadu Alanamu, all of whom were pardoned after demonstrating remorse to enable their reintegration into society.
Also pardoned were Nweke Francis Chibueze, serving a life sentence for cocaine trafficking, and Dr. Nwogu Peters, who had served 12 of a 17-year sentence for fraud.
In a symbolic gesture, President Tinubu also granted formal pardons to the “Ogoni Nine”—including Ken Saro-Wiwa, Barinem Kiobel, and others—executed in 1995 during the military regime of General Sani Abacha. Additionally, he awarded posthumous national honours to the Ogoni Four—Chief Albert Badey, Chief Edward Kobani, Chief Samuel Orage, and Theophilus Orage.
Exercising his constitutional powers of mercy, Tinubu also approved clemency for 82 inmates, commuted the death sentences of seven prisoners to life imprisonment, and reduced the prison terms of 65 others.
These actions followed the recommendations of the Presidential Advisory Committee on the Prerogative of Mercy (PACPM), chaired by Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi (SAN). The 12-member committee includes legal experts, academics, and representatives from key institutions such as the Nigerian Correctional Service, National Human Rights Commission, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), and the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA).
The PACPM reviewed a total of 294 cases, recommending 175 beneficiaries based on criteria such as old age, terminal illness, long-term imprisonment with good conduct, and rehabilitation potential.
The committee, inaugurated by Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, on January 15, 2025, was established to promote justice, rehabilitation, and human rights through fair application of the presidential prerogative of mercy.
