The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), has ordered a multi-agency review of the recently proposed presidential pardon list, following concerns that some unqualified names may have been included.
It was gathered that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), and the Nigeria Police Force are among the security and anti-graft agencies currently scrutinising the list.
Sources familiar with the exercise said the review might lead to more than half of the nominees being dropped, as President Bola Ahmed Tinubu awaits the submission of the vetted list for final endorsement.
President Tinubu had, at the Council of State meeting held on October 9, 2025, granted clemency to 175 persons convicted of various offences. The pardon was announced by Fagbemi, who said it was in line with the President’s constitutional powers and guided by recommendations of the Presidential Advisory Committee on Prerogative of Mercy.
The list included illegal miners, white-collar convicts, drug offenders, foreign nationals, and posthumous pardons for figures such as Maj. Gen. Mamman Vatsa, Ken Saro-Wiwa, Prof. Magaji Garba, and the Ogoni Eight, among others. It also featured inmates on death row whose sentences were commuted to life imprisonment.
However, the inclusion of some high-profile names sparked controversy within government circles, with several law enforcement agencies reportedly objecting to the clearance of certain individuals.
Following the backlash, Fagbemi clarified on October 16 that the presidential prerogative of mercy list was still under review and had not been finalised. He confirmed that some low-level committee officers allegedly “smuggled in” names that were not originally recommended for clemency.
“Some low-level officers at the level of the committee smuggled in some names. Obviously, the President is unaware of some of the names on that list. They have now sent the list to NDLEA and other security agencies for review. Some of the names did not meet the criteria,” a senior official told journalists anonymously.
Multiple high-ranking government sources also confirmed that the list had been circulated to the EFCC, ICPC, NDLEA, and Police for background checks coordinated by the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation.
“The review is still ongoing. The Office of the Attorney-General has circulated the list to all relevant agencies for proper vetting,” a senior ministry official said.
He explained that the exercise was part of President Tinubu’s directive to ensure due diligence, transparency, and integrity in the pardon process.
A Presidency official, who also confirmed the development, hinted that more than half of the names are likely to be dropped once the agencies complete their findings.
“The government doesn’t want anyone with unresolved corruption or criminal cases to benefit from the process,” the source said.
Preliminary reports from some of the vetting agencies have already raised red flags about a few nominees, including individuals currently under investigation for drug, fraud, and violent crimes.
A senior government official disclosed that the integrity test was designed to prevent a repeat of past controversies surrounding questionable pardons.
The Special Assistant on Communication and Publicity to the Attorney-General, Kamorudeen Ogundele, confirmed the ongoing review but declined to give details.
“Yes, the review is ongoing. The ministry is working with relevant agencies to ensure that the process meets all legal and ethical standards,” he said.
Findings further revealed that some politically exposed persons, such as Farouk Lawan and Herbert Macaulay, might scale through the review, while others — including Maryam Sanda, who was convicted in 2017 for the murder of her husband, Bilyaminu Bello — remain under scrutiny.
While some members of Bello’s family opposed the pardon, his father, Alhaji Bello Isa, and Maryam’s father, Alhaji Garba Sanda, jointly accepted it at a press conference.
Other controversial names on the list include Major Alabi Akubo, convicted for illegal possession of firearms, and Kelvin Prosper Oniarah, a notorious kidnapper whose operations spanned several states in southern and north-central Nigeria.
A Presidency source said the Federal Government was determined to ensure that only deserving cases made the final cut.
“This government wants to ensure that no name slips through without clearance from all relevant agencies,” the official said.
The final list, after all security and integrity checks, will be forwarded to President Tinubu for approval before any formal release.
