President Bola Tinubu has ordered the exclusion of persons convicted of kidnapping, drug trafficking, human trafficking, fraud, and illegal arms possession from Nigeria’s federal pardon list.
Presidential Spokesperson Bayo Onanuga said on Wednesday that the decision followed consultations with the Council of State and public feedback.
Tinubu said the review was guided by “the concept of justice as a three-way traffic — for the accused, the victim, and the state,” and aimed to strengthen public trust and law enforcement morale.
The President also directed that future pardon exercises include mandatory consultations with prosecuting agencies and ordered the transfer of the Presidential Advisory Committee on Prerogative of Mercy to the Ministry of Justice.
The revised list of eligible beneficiaries has been sent to the Nigerian Correctional Service for implementation.
