Tinubu pardons Ogoni 9, Herbert Macaulay, Vatsa, Lawan

By Johnbosco Agbakwuru

ABUJA—President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has granted a posthumous pardon to respective historical and modern figures, including Nigerian nationalist Herbert Macaulay, Major-General Mamman Vatsa, and the Ogoni Nine, who were executed successful 1995 nether the subject authorities of precocious General Sani Abacha.

The President besides extended clemency to 82 inmates crossed the state and approved nationalist honours for 959 Nigerians and foreigners successful designation of their contributions to nationalist development.

Herbert Macaulay, co-founder of the National Council of Nigeria and the Cameroons, NCNC, alongside Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, was unjustly convicted by British assemblage authorities successful 1913 and banned from nationalist service. Although helium died successful 1946, his condemnation remained connected grounds until now.

Similarly, Major-General Vatsa, a writer and subject serviceman executed successful 1986 implicit an alleged coup plot, was among 17 individuals granted statesmanlike pardons pursuing the endorsement of the National Council of State, which met successful Abuja connected Thursday.

Others pardoned see Farouk Lawan, a erstwhile subordinate of the House of Representatives; Mrs. Anastasia Daniel Nwaobia; Hussaini Umar; and Ayinla Saadu Alanamu.

Presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga, successful a connection issued precocious Thursday, said the motion was based connected recommendations from the Presidential Advisory Committee connected the Prerogative of Mercy, PACPM, chaired by Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi (SAN).
The connection explained that the clemency was granted “to alteration the beneficiaries reintegrate into society, having demonstrated capable remorse.” Among those pardoned were Nweke Francis Chibueze, serving a beingness condemnation for cause trafficking, and Dr. Nwogu Peters, who had served 12 of a 17-year word for fraud.

The Ogoni Nine — Ken Saro-Wiwa, Saturday Dobee, Nordu Eawo, Daniel Gbooko, Paul Levera, Felix Nuate, Baribor Bera, Barinem Kiobel, and John Kpuine — were formally pardoned, portion the Ogoni Four — Chief Albert Badey, Chief Edward Kobani, Chief Samuel Orage, and Theophilus Orage — received posthumous nationalist honours.

According to the statement: “In exercising his law powerfulness of mercy, President Tinubu granted clemency to 82 inmates and reduced the situation presumption of 65 others. He commuted the decease sentences of 7 inmates to beingness imprisonment.”

The PACPM, inaugurated connected January 15, 2025, by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, reviewed 294 applications and interviewed 175 inmates crossed correctional centres.

Its recommendations were based connected factors specified arsenic aged age, terminal illness, bully conduct, and rehabilitation efforts.

The Council’s study concluded that:“Eighty-two inmates were recommended for clemency; 2 for pardon; 65 for simplification of situation terms; 7 connected decease enactment for commutation to beingness imprisonment; and 15 ex-convicts — including the Ogoni 9 — for statesmanlike pardon.”

President Tinubu’s gesture, coming amid nationalist reforms successful the justness sector, was described arsenic a important measurement toward promoting reconciliation, rehabilitation, and restorative justness successful Nigeria.

The station Tinubu pardons Ogoni 9, Herbert Macaulay, Vatsa, Lawan appeared archetypal connected Vanguard News.