President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has granted posthumous pardons to Major General Mamman Vatsa, nationalist Herbert Macaulay, and the Ogoni 9, alongside clemency and sentence reductions for 175 inmates nationwide, following the National Council of State’s endorsement
Tinubu Grants Posthumous Pardons to Vatsa, Herbert Macaulay, and Ogoni 9, Frees 175 Others
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has granted a posthumous pardon to Major General Mamman Jiya Vatsa, who was executed in 1986 following a treason charge. The decision was announced on Thursday after the National Council of State meeting held in Abuja.
This was disclosed in a statement issued on Thursday by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information & Strategy.
Vatsa, a respected poet and military officer, was among 17 persons who received presidential pardons approved by the Council.
Similarly, the President granted a posthumous pardon to Herbert Macaulay, Nigeria’s foremost nationalist and co-founder of the National Council of Nigeria and the Cameroons (NCNC) alongside Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe. Macaulay, who served as the party’s first president, played a pivotal role in Nigeria’s independence struggle.
In 1913, Macaulay was unjustly convicted by British colonial authorities and banned from public office. Although he died in 1946, the colonial conviction remained on record until now. President Tinubu’s action officially clears his name and restores his honour.
The President also extended clemency to several other individuals, including former lawmaker Farouk Lawan, Mrs. Anastasia Daniel Nwaobia, Barrister Hussaini Umar, and Ayinla Saadu Alanamu, citing their remorse and efforts toward societal reintegration.
Additionally, Nweke Francis Chibueze, serving a life sentence for drug offences, and Dr. Nwogu Peters, who had completed 12 of his 17-year term for fraud, were among those pardoned.
In a historic gesture, the Ogoni Nine — Ken Saro-Wiwa, Saturday Dobee, Nordu Eawo, Daniel Gbooko, Paul Levera, Felix Nuate, Baribor Bera, Barinem Kiobel, and John Kpuine — received posthumous presidential pardons. President Tinubu also conferred national honours on the Ogoni Four: Chief Albert Badey, Chief Edward Kobani, Chief Samuel Orage, and Theophilus Orage.
The President’s act of mercy also included clemency for 82 inmates, reduction of prison terms for 65 others, and commutation of death sentences for seven inmates to life imprisonment.
President Tinubu’s decision followed the recommendations of the Presidential Advisory Committee on the Prerogative of Mercy (PACPM), chaired by the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN.
Other members include Chief Akinlolu Olujinmi (CON), Prof. Alkasum Abba, Prof. (Mrs.) Nike Y. Sidikat Ijaiya, Justice Augustine B. Utsaha, and Dr. Onwusoro Maduka (Secretary). Institutional representatives from the Nigeria Police Force, Nigerian Correctional Service, National Human Rights Commission, NSCIA, and CAN also served on the committee.
According to the report presented to the Council, a total of 294 cases were reviewed, covering both inmates and ex-convicts. Of these, 175 beneficiaries were recommended, including 82 for clemency, 65 for term reduction, 7 for commutation of death sentences, and 15 for presidential pardon — 11 of whom were deceased.
The Committee based its recommendations on humanitarian and rehabilitative criteria such as old age (60 years and above), terminal illness, good conduct in prison, and rehabilitation through vocational skills.
The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, inaugurated the PACPM on January 15, 2025, as part of the administration’s commitment to justice reform, rehabilitation, and human rights promotion in Nigeria. Read More
