Why Number Of Clemency Recipients Was Reduced From 175 To 86-Justice Minister
A review carried out by President Bola Tinubu after the release of the first list of clemency recipients resulted in a total of 89 people having such a special advantage taken away from them.
Recall that President Bola Tinubu had a few days ago wielded the clemency power and approved the release of 175 people serving jail sentences across the country.
The final list released on Wednesday which was dated October 21, 2025, and personally signed by the president, contains 86 names of inmates at different correctional facilities in the country, whose sentences have been reduced or commuted under Section 175 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
Team@orientactualmags.com learned that Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Latest Fagbemi (SAN) issued a statement in Abuja on Wednesday to explain reasons why some people who had their names in the previous list did not make the final list.
He also noted that the review was done to ensure that only people who met stipulated legal and procedural requirements are allowed to benefit from the prerogative of mercy.
‘The Office of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice wishes to announce the formal conclusion of the Presidential Prerogative of Mercy exercise with the President’s issuance of instruments granting pardon, clemency, and reduced sentences.
It is to be recalled that following consultations with the Council of State, the President received concerns on the recommended list and consequently initiated a due process review. This exercise has been completed and approved by the President. This exercise was to ensure that only persons who met stipulated legal and procedural requirements would benefit from the prerogative of mercy.
During this final review, a few persons earlier recommended were found not to have met the necessary requirements and were accordingly delisted, while in some other cases, sentences were reviewed and reduced to reflect fairness, justice, and the spirit of the exercise.
This exercise underscores the president’s desire to balance justice with compassion and the belief that justice must not only punish, but also reform and redeem. The review was undertaken with meticulous commitment to due process to reinforce the administration’s broader commitment to justice reform and humane correctional practices in line with international standards.
To ensure that future exercises meet public expectations and best practices, the President has directed the immediate relocation of the Secretariat of the Presidential Advisory Committee on Prerogative of Mercy from the Federal Ministry of Special Duties to the Federal Ministry of Justice
The President has further directed the Attorney-General of the Federation to issue appropriate Guidelines for the Exercise of the Power of Prerogative of Mercy, which includes compulsory consultation with relevant prosecuting agencies.
This will ensure that only persons who fully meet the stipulated legal and procedural requirements will henceforth benefit from the issuance of instruments of release.
I commend the public for their patience and constructive engagement throughout the process, and assure Nigerians that the government remains steadfast in promoting a justice system that upholds human dignity while safeguarding national security and social order.
Prince Fagbemi submitted, who headed the Presidential Advisory Committee on the Prerogative of Mercy, submitted.
The final list dated October 21, 2025, which was personally signed by the president, contains 86 names of inmates at different correctional facilities in the country, whose sentences have been reduced or commuted under Section 175 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
The document titled ‘Reduced Terms of Imprisonment and Sentence, 2025 had the following as beneficiaries of the clemency.
Homicide and Manslaughter Cases
Yusuf Owolabi (36) – Convicted of manslaughter in 2015 and sentenced to life imprisonment at the Maximum Security Custodial Centre, Kirikiri. Now to serve 15 years based on ‘educational improvement, remorsefulness and acquisition of vocational skills’.
Ifeanyi Eze (33) – Life sentence for manslaughter (2021), now to serve 15 years.
Maryam Sanda (37) – Convicted for culpable homicide (2020) and sentenced to death by hanging. Her sentence commuted to 12 years based on ‘compassionate grounds, the best interest of her children, good conduct and remorsefulness’.
Markus Yusuf (41) – Culpable homicide (2023), 13-year sentence reduced to 8 years due to ill health.
Alhaji Abubakar Tanko (61) – Culpable homicide (2018), 30-year term reduced to 20 years.
Drug and Narcotics Offences
Patrick Mensah (40) – Drugs (2015), 17 years reduced to 13 years.
Obi Edwin Chukwu (43), Tunde Balogun (32), Lima Pereira Erick Diego (27), Uchegbu Emeka Michael (37), Salawu Adebayo Samsudeen (46), and Napolo (61) were all convicted for drug trafficking between 2015 and 2017.
Sentences of 15 years reduced to 12 years each based on ‘remorsefulness and vocational skill acquisition’.
Dias Santos Marela Christiana (44) – Convicted of importing cocaine in 2017; 15-year term reduced to 12 years for ‘remorsefulness and deportation’.
Isaac Justina (40), Aishat Kehinde (38), Helen Solomon (68), Okoye Tochukwu (43), and Ugwuze Paul (38) – Convicted of cannabis-related offences, all granted reduced terms of between 3 and 7 years.
Financial and Fraud-related Offences
Mustapha Ahmed (46) – Criminal breach of trust; 7-year sentence cut to 5 years.
Innocent Brown Idiong (60) – Possession of Indian hemp; 10-year term reduced to 6 years.
Inibong Imayen Nuikidem (46) – Obtaining money by false pretence; 7 years cut to 5 years.
Buka Adamu (40) – Advance fee fraud; 20 years reduced to 9 years.
Ada Audu (72) – Fraud; 7-year mandatory imprisonment cut to 4 years.
Chief Jonathan Alatoru (66), Umannah Ekatte (70), Utom Thompson Udoaka (60) – Granted reduced terms for age, remorsefulness and good conduct.
Firearms and Related Offences
Abubakar Mamman (38) – Possession of AK-47 rifle (2020); 10-year sentence cut to 7 years.
Muhammed Bello Musa (35) – Possession of firearms; 10 years reduced to 7 years.
Nnamdi Anene (67) – Illegal dealing in firearms; life sentence commuted to 20 years.
Alhaji Ibrahim Hameed (71) – Illegal property possession; 7 years reduced to 5 years.
Maritime and Conspiracy Offences
Bright Agbedeyi (46), Babangida Saliu (35), Jude Saka Ebaragha (44), Frank Insort Abaka (46), Sluna Alolo (42), David Akinseye (39), Ahmed Toyin (46), Shobajo Saheed (57), Adamole Philip (52), and Mathew Masi (39) were all convicted for conspiracy to hijack fishing vessels in 2020. Their 12-year sentences were reduced to eight years with N1m fines waived ‘based on remorsefulness and impecuniosity’.
Unlawful Mining Offenders
A total of at least 45 inmates across the Medium Security Custodial Centre, Agodi, Oyo State, were convicted in January 2024 for unlawful mining.
Each was sentenced to three years, now reduced to two years, ‘based on remorsefulness, good conduct and a letter of undertaking dated April 22, 2025’ reportedly facilitated by Senator Ikra Aliyu Bilbis for their rehabilitation and empowerment after release.
The list includes:
Yusuf Alhassan, Abdullahi Isah, Zayanu Bello, Habeeb Suleman, Jubria Sahabi, Shefiu Umar, Seidu Abubakar, Haruna Abubakar, Rabiu Seidu, Macha Kuru, Zahradeen Aminu, Nazipi Musa, Abdullahi Musa, Habibu Safiu, Husseni Sani, Musa Lawali, Suleiman Lawale, Yusuf Iliyasu, Sabiyu Aliyu, Halliru Sani, Shittu Aliyu, Sanusi Aminu, Isaaka Adamu, Mamman Ibrahim, Shaibu Abdullahi, Sanusi Adamu, Sadi Musa, and Haruna Isah, among others.
Presidential Approval and Legal Backing
The document cites Section 175 of the 1999 Constitution, which empowers the President to ‘grant any person concerned with or convicted of any offence in Nigeria a pardon, either free or subject to lawful conditions’
It was formally titled: ‘S.I. No. 79 of 2025: Instrument of Presidential Prerogative of Mercy (Reduced Terms of Imprisonment and Sentence)’ –Team@orientactualmags.com Do you have any information you wish to share with us? Do you want us to cover your event or programme? Kindly send SMS to 08035023079, 08059100286, 09094171980 or get in touch via orientactualmag@gmail.com. Thank you
