Presidency releases list of 175 illegal miners, high-profile cases, others granted amnesty

By Johnbosco Agbakwuru, Abuja

The Presidency, connected Saturday, released a broad database of the 175 convicts and erstwhile convicts that were granted statesmanlike pardon and clemency by President Bola Tinubu.

The database included high-profile cases, amerciable miners, white-collar offenders, and those convicted of superior crimes. The names contained successful a connection issued by the statesmanlike spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, successful Abuja, it was stated, bespeak the President’s committedness to justice, rehabilitation, and correcting humanities wrongs.

According to the statement, the Presidential Advisory Committee connected the Prerogative of Mercy, chaired by Attorney-General and Justice Minister Prince Lateef Fagbemi, recommended the merchandise of 2 inmates, pardoned 15 erstwhile convicts (11 posthumously), granted clemency to 82 inmates, and commuted sentences for 65 others. Additionally, 7 inmates connected decease enactment had their sentences reduced to beingness imprisonment. Among the beneficiaries are salient figures specified arsenic Major General Mamman Jiya Vatsa, posthumously pardoned for an alleged 1986 coup plot, and Ken Saro-Wiwa alongside the Ogoni Eight, convicted successful a arguable 1995 execution case.

The pardon besides extended to Sir Herbert Macaulay, a Nigerian nationalist wronged by British assemblage authorities successful 1913 for alleged misappropriation of funds. “This determination corrects long-standing injustices, honoring their contributions to Nigeria’s history,” the connection submitted.

It further stated that Maryam Sanda, sentenced to decease successful 2020 for culpable homicide, received clemency aft demonstrating remorse and bully behaviour during her six years astatine Suleja Medium Security Custodial Centre.

Her family’s plea, highlighting the payment of her 2 children, played a pivotal relation successful the decision.

Similarly, erstwhile lawmaker Farouk Lawan, convicted of corrupt practices, and Dr. Nwogu Peters, jailed for fraud, were among those pardoned aft serving their sentences oregon showing important reform.

The clemency database includes 82 inmates, galore convicted of drug-related offenses, amerciable mining, and fraud, who demonstrated remorse, acquired vocational skills, oregon enrolled successful acquisition programs similar the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN).

For instance, Abiodun Elemero, serving a beingness condemnation for cocaine trafficking, and Aluagwu Lawrence, jailed for selling Indian hemp, were granted clemency aft years of bully conduct.

A radical of 36 amerciable miners, convicted successful 2024, besides benefited, with Senator Ikra Aliyu Bilbis pledging to enactment their rehabilitation and empowerment.

Seven inmates connected decease row, including Emmanuel Baba and Moses Ayodele Olurunfemi, had their sentences commuted to beingness imprisonment owed to their remorse and affirmative behavior. Others, similar Professor Magaji Garba and Major S.A. Akubo, saw their sentences reduced based connected factors specified arsenic precocious age, sick health, oregon acquisition achievements portion incarcerated.

President Tinubu’s determination underscores a content successful 2nd chances and rehabilitation.

“This motion reflects the administration’s committedness to justness tempered with mercy, particularly for those who person shown genuine remorse and a committedness to reform,” said Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President connected Information and Strategy.

The connection added that the pardons and clemency, presented during a Council of State gathering chaired by President Tinubu, person been hailed arsenic a bold measurement toward healing humanities wounds and promoting societal reintegration.

The determination besides honors the representation of victims, specified arsenic Chief Albert Badey and others linked to the Ogoni Nine case, acknowledging their spot successful Nigeria’s analyzable history.

The station Presidency releases database of 175 amerciable miners, high-profile cases, others granted amnesty appeared archetypal connected Vanguard News.