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Full List Of Beneficiaries Of Presidential Pardon and Clemency
The Presidency has released the full list of beneficiaries of presidential pardon and clemency granted by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on October 12, 2025.
This was contained in a State House press release issued by the
Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga.
According to Mr. Onanuga, the beneficiaries include illegal miners, white-collar convicts, remorseful drug offenders, foreigners, Major General Mamman Vatsa, Major Akubo, Professor Magaji Garba, capital offenders such as Maryam Sanda, Ken Saro Wiwa, and the other Ogoni Eight.
Onanuga noted that President Tinubu granted clemency to most of them based on the reports that the convicts had shown remorse and good conduct.
Tinubu reportedly forgave some due to old age, the acquisition of new vocational skills, or enrolment in the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN).
“He also corrected the historic injustice committed by British colonialists against Sir Herbert Macaulay, one of Nigeria’s foremost nationalists.
“In all, the Presidential Advisory Committee on the Prerogative of Mercy, chaired by the Attorney-General and Justice Minister, Prince Lateef Olasunkanmi Fagbemi, recommended pardon for two inmates, 15 former convicts, 11 of whom have died.
“The committee recommended clemency for 82 inmates and commutation of sentences for 65 inmates. Seven inmates on death row also benefited from the Presidential reprieve.
“The committee recommended that the President should commute their death sentences to life imprisonment,” Onanuga stated.
See below the full list of beneficiaries of President Tinubu’s Mercy:
PARDONED
1. Nweke Francis Chibueze, aged 44, serving a life sentence at Kirikiri for cocaine.
2. Dr Nwogu Peters, aged 67; Serving a 17-year jail term for fraud. Sentenced in 2013.
3. Mrs Anastasia Daniel Nwaoba, aged 63. Already served a sentence for fraud
4. Barr. Hussaini Alhaji Umar, aged 58. Sentenced in 2023 to pay a fine of N150M in the ICPC case
5. Ayinla Saadu Alanamu, age 63, was sentenced to seven years for bribery in 2019 and has served the sentence.
6. Hon. Farouk M. Lawan, aged 62. Sentenced to five years in 2021 for Corrupt Practices and had served the sentence.
POSTHUMOUS PARDON
7. Sir Herbert Macaulay was banned from public office for misappropriation of funds and sentenced in 1913 by the British colonialists.
8. Major-General Mamman Jiya Vatsa, age 46, Sentenced in 1986 for treason: related to an alleged coup plot
POSTHUMOUS PARDON: THE OGONI NINE
9. Ken Saro Wiwa. Sentenced for murder
10. Saturday Dobee. Sentenced for murder
11. Nordu Eawa. Sentenced for murder
12. Daniel Gbooko. Sentenced for murder
13. Paul Levera. Sentenced for murder
14. Felix Nuate. Sentenced for murder
15. Baribor Bera. Sentenced for murder
16. Barinem Kiobel. Sentenced for murder
17. John Kpuine. Sentenced for murder
VICTIMS OF OGONI NINE HONOURED:
Chief Albert Badey
Chief Edward Kobaru
Chief Samuel Orage
Chief Theophilus Orage
PRESIDENTIAL CLEMENCY
Most of the beneficiaries showed either remorse or learned vocational skills in jail
1. Aluagwu Lawrence, aged 47, sentenced for Indian hemp (selling), 2015
2. Ben Friday, aged 60, was sentenced to 3 years or N1.3 million fine for marijuana in 2023.
3. Oroke Micheal Chibueze, aged 21, sentenced to 5 years (cannabis sativa) in 2023
4. Kelvin Christopher Smith, aged 42, was sentenced to 4 years for importing cocaine in 2023
5. Azubuike Jeremiah Emeka, aged 31, sentenced in 2021 to 5 years or N3 million fine for importing cocaine.
6. Akinrinnade Akinwande Adebiyi, aged 47, sentenced in 2023 to 3 years for dealing in Tramadol.
7. Ahmed Adeyemo, aged 38, sentenced to 15 years for cannabis. Already served nine years, 5 months at Kirikiri
8. Adeniyi Jimoh, aged 31years, sentenced to 15 years for Drugs in 2015 and served nine years at Kirikiri.
9. Seun Omirinde, aged 39, sentenced to 15 years for Drugs in 2015. Served nine years at Kirikiri
10. Adesanya Olufemi Paul, aged 61, sentenced to 14 years for theft. Had served eight years.
11. Ife Yusuf, aged 37, was sentenced for human trafficking in 2019. Had served six years at Kirikiri.
12. Daniel Bodunwa, aged 43, was sentenced in 2018 to 10 years for fraudulent intent to forge a land receipt. Had served six years in jail
13. Fidelis Michael, aged 40, sentenced to 5 years for cannabis sativa
14. Suru Akande, aged 52, sentenced to 5 years for cannabis sativa
15. Safiyanu Umar, aged 56, sentenced to 5 years without the option of a fine for possessing 5kg of Cannabis sativa, 2023
16. Dahiru Abdullahi, aged 46, was sentenced in 2016 to 21 years for possession of 3 pistols and had spent 10 years in jail.
17. Hamza Abubakar, aged 37, sentenced to 5 years for Indian hemp (selling), 2022
18. Rabiu Alhassan Dawaki, aged 52, sentenced in 2020 to 7 years for criminal breach of trust.
19. Mujibu Muhammad, aged 30, sentenced in 2022 to 5 years, no option for a fine for cannabis.
20. Emmanuel Eze, aged 49, sentenced in 2022 to 5 years for Heroine.
21. Bala Azika Yahaya, aged 70, sentenced in 2017 to 15 years for cannabis.
22. Lina Kusum Wilson, aged 34, sentenced to death in 2017 for culpable homicide, had spent eight years in jail.
23. Buhari Sani, aged 33, sentenced in 2022 to 5 years for possession of 558 grams of cannabis.
24. Mohammed Musa, aged 27, was sentenced in 2022 to 5 years for possession of 16 grams of cannabis.
25. Muharazu Abubakar, aged 37, sentenced in 2022 to 5 years for selling Indian hemp. Already spent 3 years in Katsina Prison
26. Ibrahim Yusuf, aged 34; jailed 5 years in 2022 for possession of 5.7 grams of Indian hemp.
27. Saad Ahmed Madaki, aged 72; sentenced in 2020 for a 419 offence. Had served 4 years in Kaduna prison
28. Ex-Corporal Michael Bawa, aged 72: sentenced to life imprisonment for murder in 2005. Had spent 20 years in Kaduna prison
29. Richard Ayuba, aged 38. Sentenced to 5 years in 2022 for Indian hemp
30. Adam Abubakar, aged 30 and sentenced in 2022 to five years for possession of 2kg of tramadol.
31. Emmanuel Yusuf, aged 34; sentenced in 2022 to 4 years for possession of 2kg of tramadol
32. Edwin Nnazor, aged 60; sentenced in 2018 to 15 years for cannabis. Had spent 6 years, nine months at Zamfara prison
33. Chinedu Stanley, aged 34. Sentenced in 2023 to three years for fake lubricant oil.
34. Joseph Nwanoka, aged 42: sentenced in 2022 to five years for drugs
35. Johnny Ntheru, Aged 63, sentenced in 1989 to life imprisonment for robbery. Had spent 36 years in Umuahia Prison
36. John Omotiye, Aged 28, sentenced to six years for Pipeline vandalism
37. Nsikat Edet Harry, Aged 37, sentenced in 2023 to 5 years for Illegal possession of Indian hemp, Cocaine, & Heroin.
38. Jonathan Asuquo, Aged 28, sentenced in 2022 to 5 years for possession of Indian hemp & other drugs
39. Prince Samuel Peters, aged 54, sentenced in 2020 to 7 years for obtaining money by false pretence. Had spent 4 years, 3 months in Ikot Ekpene Prison
40. Babangida Saliu, Aged 35, sentenced in 2024 to 3 years for unlawful mining.
41. Adamu Sanni, aged 39, sentenced in 2024 to 3 years for unlawful mining.
42. Abdulkarem Salisu, aged 30, sentenced to 3 years for unlawful mining.
43. Abdulaziz Lawal, aged 18, sentenced to 3 years for unlawful mining.
44. Abdulrahman Babangida, aged 20, sentenced to 3 years for unlawful mining
45. Maharazu Alidu, aged 22, sentenced to 3 years for unlawful mining.
46. Zaharadeen Baliue, aged 38, sentenced to 3 years for unlawful mining.
47. Babangida Usman, aged 30, sentenced to 3 years for unlawful mining.
48. Zayyanu Abdullahi, Aged 28, sentenced to 3 years for unlawful mining, 2024
49. Bashir Garuba, Aged 20, sentenced in 2024 to 3 years for unlawful mining
50. Imam Suleman, aged 25, sentenced to 3 years for unlawful mining, 2024
51. Abbeh Amisu, Aged 28, sentenced to 3 years for unlawful mining, 2024
52. Lawani Lurwanu, Aged 20, sentenced to 3 years for unlawful mining, 2024
53. Yusuf Alhassan, aged 33, was sentenced to 3 years for unlawful mining in 2024.
54. Abdulahi Isah, aged 25, sentenced to 3 years for unlawful mining, 2024
55. Zayanu Bello, aged 35, sentenced to 3 years for unlawful mining
56. Habeeb Suleman, aged 22, sentenced in 2024 to 3 years for unlawful mining.
57. Jubrin Sahabi, aged 23, was sentenced to 3 years in 2024 for unlawful mining.
58. Shefiu Umar, aged 28, was sentenced to 3 years in 2024 for unlawful mining.
59. Seidu Abubakar, age 29, sentenced in 2024 to 3 years for unlawful mining.
60. Haruna Abubakar, Aged 24, was sentenced to 3 years in 2024 for unlawful mining
61. Rabiu Seidu, aged 26, sentenced in 2024 to 3 years for unlawful mining.
62. Macha Kuru, Aged 25, sentenced in 2024 to 3 years for unlawful mining
63. Zahradeen Aminu, Aged 25 years, sentenced to 3 years for unlawful mining.
64. Nazipi Musa, aged 25. Sentenced to 3 years for unlawful mining in 2024
65. Abdullahi Musa, aged 30 and sentenced to 3 years in 2024 for unlawful mining.
66. Habibu Safiu, aged 20 and sentenced to 3 years in 2024 for unlawful mining
67. Husseni Sani, aged 21 and sentenced to 3 years in 2024 for unlawful mining
68. Musa Lawali, aged 25 and sentenced to 3 years in 2024 for unlawful mining
69. Suleiman Lawal, aged 23 and sentenced to 3 years in 2024 for unlawful mining
70. Yusuf Iliyasu, aged 21 and sentenced to 3 years in 2024 for unlawful mining
71. Sebiyu Aliyu, aged 20 and sentenced to 3 years in 2024 for unlawful mining
72. Halliru Sani, aged 18 and sentenced to 3 years in 2024 for unlawful mining
73. Shittu Aliyu, aged 30 and sentenced to 3 years in 2024 for unlawful mining
74. Sanusi Aminu, aged 27 and sentenced to 3 years in 2024 for unlawful mining
75. Isiaka Adamu, aged 40 and sentenced to 3 years in 2024 for unlawful mining
76. Mamman Ibrahim, aged 50 and sentenced to 3 years in 2024 for unlawful mining
77. Shuaibu Abdullahi, aged 35 and sentenced to 3 years in 2024 for unlawful mining
78. Sanusi Adamu, aged 28 and sentenced to 3 years in 2024 for unlawful mining
79. Sadi Musa, aged 20 and sentenced to 3 years in 2024 for unlawful mining
80. Haruna Isah, aged 35 and sentenced to 3 years in 2024 for unlawful mining
NB: Senator Ikra Aliyu Bilbis signed an undertaking to be responsible for the rehabilitation and empowerment of all the convicted illegal miners granted presidential clemency.
81. Abiodun Elemero, aged 43. Sentenced to life imprisonment for cocaine hawking in 2014. Had spent 10 years plus in Kirikiri,
82. Maryam Sanda, aged 37, was sentenced to death in 2020 for culpable homicide and had spent six years, eight months at Suleja Medium Security Custodial Centre. Her family pleaded for her release, arguing that it was in the best interest of her two children. The plea was also anchored on her good conduct in jail, her remorse, and her embracement of a new lifestyle, demonstrating her commitment to being a model prisoner.
LIST OF INMATES RECOMMENDED FOR REDUCED TERM OF IMPRISONMENT
1. Yusuf Owolabi, aged 36. Sentenced to life in 2015 for Manslaughter. Had spent 10 years at Kirikiri.Prison term reduced to 12 years for showing remorse and learning vocational skills.
2. Ifeanyi Eze, aged 33. Sentenced to life in 2021 for Manslaughter and had spent four years at Kirikiri. Prison term reduced to 12 years for showing remorse and learning vocational skills.
3. Malam Ibrahim Sulaiman, aged 59. Sentenced to life in 2022 for Armed robbery & possession of illegal firearms. Sentence cut to 10 years based on good conduct
4. Shettima Maaji Arfo, aged 54. Sentenced in 2021 to seven years for Corrupt Practices. Sentence reduced to four years, because of good conduct and ill-health
5. Ajasper Benzeger, aged 69 and sentenced in 2015 to 20 years for Culpable homicide. Sentence reduced to 12 years, based on old age and ill-health.
6. Ifenna Kennechukwu, aged 42. Sentenced in 2015 to 20 years for drugs (cocaine import) and had spent close to 10 years in Kirikiri. Prison term reduced to 12 years based on remorse and the acquisition of vocational skills.
7. Mgbeike Matthew, aged 45. Sentenced to 20 years in 2013 for the import of 3.10kg. Following remorsefulness and the acquisition of vocational skills at Kirikiri. Sentence reduced to 12 years.
8. Patrick Mensah, aged 40. Sentenced in 2015 to 17 years for drugs. Sentence reduced to 11 years
9. Obi Edwin Chukwu, aged 43 and sentenced in 2017 to 15 years for drugs. Sentence reduced to 10 years.
10. Tunde Balogun, aged 32 and sentenced in 2015 to 15 years for drugs. Sentence reduced to 10 years.
11. Lima Pereira Erick Diego, aged 27 and sentenced in 2017 to 15 years or a fine of N20million for drugs. Sentence reduced to 10 years.
12. Uchegbu Emeka Michael, aged 37. Sentenced in 2017 to 15 years or a fine of N20million for drugs. Sentence reduced to 10 years
13. Salawu Adebayo Samsudeen, aged 46 and sentenced in 2016 to 15 years for drugs. Sentence reduced to 10 years.
14. Napolo Osariemen, aged 61 and sentenced in 2022 to 15 years for 2 kilos of Indian hemp. The sentence was reduced to seven years.
15. Patricia Echoe Igninovia, aged 61 and sentenced in 2023 to seven years for trafficking in persons. Sentence reduced to five years.
16. Odeyemi Omolaram, aged 65 and sentenced in 2017 to 25 years in prison for drug. The sentence was reduced to 12 years based on the defendant’s remorsefulness and advanced age.
17. Vera Daniel Ifork, aged 29 and sentenced in 2020 to 10 years for trafficking in persons. Sentence reduced to eight years.
18. Gabriel Juliet Chidimma, aged 32 and sentenced in 2022 to six years for drug (cocaine). Sentence reduced to four years.
19. Dias Santos Marcia Christiana, aged 44 and sentenced in 2017 to 15 years for import of cocaine. Sentence reduced to 10 years.
20. Alh. Ibrahim Hameed. Aged 71 and sentenced in 2023 to seven years for illegal property (obtaining property under false pretence). Sentence reduced to five years.
21. Alh. Nasiru Ogara Adinoyi, 65, was sentenced in 2023 to 14 years for obtaining property by false pretence. The sentence was reduced to seven years.
22. Chief Emeka Agbodike, aged 69, was sentenced in 2023 to seven years for obtaining property by false pretence. Sentence reduced to 3 years.
23. Isaac Justina, aged 40. Sentenced in 2022 to 10 years for cannabis sativa and had spent 3 years in the Abeokuta Custodial Centre. Sentence reduced to four years.
24. Aishat Kehinde, aged 38 and sentenced in 2022 to five years for unlawful possession of cannabis. The prison term being served in Abeokuta has been reduced to four years.
25. Helen Solomon, age 68. Sentenced in 2024 to five years for cannabis sativa. Sentence reduced to three years.
26. Okoye Tochukwu, aged 43 and sentenced in 2024 to six years for cannabis sativa. Sentence reduced to 3 years.
27. Ugwueze Paul, aged 38 and sentenced in 2024 to six years for cannabis sativa. Sentence reduced to three years.
28. Mutsapha Ahmed, aged 46 and sentenced in 2022 to seven years without a fine option for criminal breach of trust. The sentence was reduced to five years.
29. Abubakar Mamman, aged 38 and sentenced in 2020 to 10 years in Kebbi Custodial Centre for Possession of firearms. Sentence reduced to seven years.
30. Muhammed Bello Musa, aged 35. Sentenced in 2020 to 10 years in Kebbi Custodial Centre for illegal possession of firearms. Sentence reduced to seven years
31. Nnamdi Anene, aged 67 and sentenced in 2010 to life imprisonment at Katsina Custodial Centre for illegal dealing of arms. Sentence reduced to 20 years.
32. Alh. Abubakar Tanko, aged 61, was sentenced in 2018 to 30 years at the Gusau Custodial Centre for Culpable Homicide. Sentence reduced to 20 years.
33. Chisom Francis Wisdom, aged 30; sentenced in 2018 to 20 years in Umuahia Custodial Centre for kidnapping. Sentence reduced to 12 years.
34. Innocent Brown Idiong, aged 60, sentenced in 2020 to 10 years for possession of 700 grams of Indian Hemp. Has already spent 4 years and 3 months at Ikot Abasi Custodial centre. Jail term reduced to six years.
35. Iniobong Imaeyen Ntukidem, aged 46, was sentenced 2021 to seven years in jail at the Uyo Custodial Centre. Prison term reduced to five years.
36. Ada Audu, aged 72, was sentenced in 2022 to seven years in Kuje Custodial Centre and had spent 2 years and 7 months in prison. Prison term reduced to 4 years because of old age.
37. Bukar Adamu, aged 40 and sentenced to 20 years in 2019 for advance fee fraud. Prison term reduced to nine years.
38. Kelvin Oniarah Ezigbe, 44, was sentenced in October 2023 to 20 years for kidnapping, which took effect in 2013. The sentence was reduced to 13 years for showing remorsefulness and attending the National Open University.
39. Frank Azuekor, aged 42. Sentenced in 2023 for kidnapping and jailed in Kuje Custodial Centre for 20 years, and had spent 12 years behind bars from 2013. The sentence was reduced to 13 years, based on good conduct and attendance at the National Open University.
40. Chukwukelu Sunday Calisthus, aged 47 and sentenced in 2014 to life at Kuje Custodial Centre for drugs. He had spent 11 years at Kuje. Sentence reduced to 13 years.
41. Professor Magaji Garba, aged 67. Sentenced in 2021 to seven years for obtaining money by false pretence and had spent 3 years at Kuje Custodial Centre. The prison term was reduced to four years due to good conduct and advanced age.
42. Markus Yusuf, aged 41. Sentenced in 2023 to 13 years for culpable homicide. Sentence reduced to 5 years based on ill-health
43. Samson Ajayi, aged 31 and sentenced in 2022 to 15 years for drugs. He had spent five years at Suleja Custodial Centre. The sentence was reduced to seven years.
44. Iyabo Binyoyo, aged 49. Sentenced in 2017 to 10 years for drugs and sentenced to nine years at Suleja Custodial Centre, due to good conduct.
45. Oladele Felix, 49, was sentenced in 2022 to five years without a fine option for conspiracy and exploitation. Based on good conduct and remorsefulness, the sentence was reduced to four years. Felix is spending the term at Suleja.
46. Rakiya Beida, aged 33 and sentenced in 2021to seven years, without a fine option, for theft and cheating. The sentence, being served at Suleja, was reduced to three years based on good conduct
47. Nriagu Augustine Ifeanyi, aged 44 and sentenced in 2018 to 10 years in Ikoyi Custodial Centre, for exporting cocaine. The sentence was reduced to eight years.
48. Chukwudi Destiny, aged 36 and sentenced in 2022 to six years in Ikoyi Custodial Centre for heroin import. The sentence was cut to four years.
49. Felix Rotimi Esemokhai, aged 47 and sentenced in 2022 to five years for heroin. The sentence was reduced to four years.
50. Major S.A. Akubo, aged 62, was sentenced in 2009 to life at Katsina Custodial Centre for illegally removing 7,000 assorted weapons. Following good conduct and remorsefulness, the sentence was commuted to 20 years.
51. John Ibiam, aged 39, was sentenced in 2016 to 15 years for manslaughter and served 9 years and one month in the Afikpo Custodial Centre. The sentence was reduced to 10 years after the individual showed remorse and acquired vocational skills.
52. Omoka Aja, aged 40 and sentenced in 2016 to 15 years for manslaughter, served 9 years and 1 month in Afikpo Custodial Centre. The sentence was commuted to 10 years.
53. Chief Jonathan Alatoru, aged 66, was sentenced in 2021 to seven years for conspiracy to cheat. The sentence served in Port Harcourt Custodial Centre has been reduced to five years.
54. Umanah Ekaette Umanah, aged 70 and sentenced in 2022 to 10 years in Port Harcourt Custodial Centre for forgery. Sentence reduced to five years due to old age and remorsefulness.
55. Utom Obong Thomson Udoaka, 60, was sentenced in 2020 to seven years in Ikot Ekpene Custodial Centre for obtaining money by false pretence. He had served four years and two months at Ikot Ekpene. Due to his old age and good conduct, the Initial Sentence has been reduced to five years.
56. Jude Saka Ebaragha, aged 44. Sentenced in 2020 to 12 years at Ikoyi Prison and a fine of N1million for conspiracy to hijack a fishing vessel. The sentence was commuted to six years, and the N1m fine was waived.
57. Frank Insort Abaka, 46, was sentenced in 2020 to 12 years and a N1M fine at Ikoyi Custodial Centre for conspiracy to hijack a Fishing vessel. The sentence was reduced to six years, and the fine was waived.
58. Shina Alolo, 42, was sentenced in 2020 to 12 years and a N1M fine at Ikoyi Custodial Centre for conspiracy to hijack a fishing vessel. Like others, the N1m fine was waived, and the sentence was reduced to 6 years.
59. Joshua Iwiki, aged 50: Sentenced in 2020 to 12 years at Ikoyi Prison and a fine of N1M for conspiracy to hijack a fishing vessel. A N1m fine was waived, and the sentence was commuted to six years in prison.
60. David Akinseye, aged 44: Sentenced in 2020 to 12 years & N1M fine for conspiracy to hijack a fishing vessel. His sentence was commuted to 6 years, and the fine was waived.
61. Ahmed Toyin, aged 46: Sentenced in 2020 to 12 years & N1M fine for conspiracy to hijack a fishing vessel. Sentence also commuted and fine waived.
62. Shobajo Saheed, age 57: Sentenced in 2020 to 12 years and a fine of N1M for conspiracy to hijack a fishing vessel. He got a similar reprieve like the others.
63. Adamole Philip, aged 52 years: Sentenced to 12 years & a N1M fine for conspiracy to hijack a fishing vessel, 2020. Philip also got his term reduced to seven years and the fine waived.
64. Mathew Masi, aged 39: Also sentenced to 12 years and a fine of N1million for conspiracy to hijack a fishing vessel. The sentence was reduced to six years, and the fine was waived.
65. Bright Agbedeyi, 46, was also sentenced in 2020 for conspiracy to hijack a fishing vessel. Like the others in his category, he got a reprieve from President Tinubu.
List of Inmates on Death Row Reduced to Life Imprisonment
1. Emmanuel Baba, aged 38: sentenced to death in 2017 for culpable homicide. On death row in Kuje Custodial Centre for the past 8 years. The sentence was commuted to life imprisonment based on good conduct and remorsefulness.
2. Emmanuel Gladstone, aged 45, was sentenced in 2020 to death for murder and had spent five years at Katsina Custodial Centre. Death sentence commuted to life imprisonment due to good conduct and remorse.
3. Moses Ayodele Olurunfemi, aged 51: sentenced to death in 2012 for culpable homicide and had spent 13 years on death row in Katsina. President Tinubu commuted the death sentence to life imprisonment, citing the individual’s good conduct and remorse.
4. Abubakar Usman, aged 59: Sentenced to Death in 2014 and had spent 14 years on death row in Katsina. His sentence was commuted to life because of his remorse and good conduct.
5. Khalifa Umar, aged 37: Sentenced to death in 2014 and had spent 11 years on death row in Kano Custodial Centre. His sentence has been commuted to life imprisonment.
6. Benjamin Ekeze, age 40. Sentenced to death in 2017 for armed robbery and conspiracy, and had spent 12 years on death row at Kirikiri, Lagos. The sentence was also commuted to life.
7. Mohammed Umar, 43: Sentenced to death in 2018 for culpable homicide and had spent seven years on death row in Onitsha Custodial Centre. He got the Presidential reprieve, commuting the death sentence to life imprisonment.
Former U.S. President Donald Trump claimed on Monday that he has dismantled the Department of Education.
Diaspora Digital Media (DDM) notes that the announcement came during American Education Week, an annual event highlighting public education in the United States.
Trump stated that he has handed control of educational matters to individual states, arguing that they are best positioned to serve students’ needs.
He said the move was intended to empower students and families while prioritizing choice and innovation in schools.
The president described the decision as a step toward building an education system that prepares children to lead, secures a stronger future, and fosters moral and intellectual development.
Trump’s executive order to dismantle the department was issued earlier this year, but the agency remains operational, albeit with fewer staff.
U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon confirmed that while the department continues to enforce civil rights laws and promote practical degree programs, the agency is gradually reducing its operations.
The announcement drew immediate criticism from the National Education Association (NEA), the country’s largest teachers’ union and a founding organizer of American Education Week.
NEA President Becky Pringle said the plan is like a “wrecking ball” aimed at public schools and students’ futures.
Pringle warned that Trump’s actions could increase class sizes, cut job training programs, raise higher education costs, and reduce support for students with disabilities.
She added that civil rights protections for students might also be undermined if the department is fully dismantled.
Trump argued that the department had allowed schools to become “laboratories” for ideologies he opposed and that removing its influence would restore common sense to classrooms.
He claimed the initiative returns authority to parents and promotes a generation of thinkers, builders, and leaders prepared to advance the nation.
The former president further described his plan as a pathway to America’s “Golden Age,” emphasizing culture, education, and national strength.
Analysts note that the claim of dismantling the department is largely symbolic, as the federal education bureaucracy continues to function.
Critics argue that reducing the department’s authority could create disparities in educational quality across states.
Supporters, however, praise the shift as giving local communities more control over school curricula and priorities.
The debate underscores broader tensions in U.S. education policy, balancing federal oversight, state control, and the rights of students and parents.
The controversy over Trump’s education reforms is expected to continue, especially as debates about curriculum content, funding, and school choice intensify nationwide.
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has announced plans to shut down all public universities in Nigeria starting this Friday.
DDM gathered that the union’s decision is intended to pressure the Federal Government into meeting long-standing demands, including fair salaries and improved working conditions for academic staff.
The announcement was made via ASUU’s official X account on Tuesday.
The union warned that all universities will remain closed indefinitely until its demands are fully addressed.
ASUU’s leadership cited the ongoing exodus of lecturers from Nigerian universities as a major concern.
They argued that without adequate remuneration and enhanced work conditions, the brain drain will continue to weaken the quality of education nationwide.
The union specifically rejected the Federal Government’s latest salary offer of 35 percent.
The offer had been made as part of ongoing negotiations between ASUU and government officials to resolve the recurring disputes affecting the higher education sector.
In October, ASUU temporarily suspended a two-week warning strike to allow for renegotiation of the 2009 FGN/ASUU Agreement.
The agreement governs lecturer salaries, research funding, and other benefits critical to university operations.
Despite this temporary reprieve, union leaders said the government had failed to implement meaningful changes.
Analysts warn that a full-scale strike could disrupt academic calendars, delay graduations, and negatively impact thousands of students across the country.
The National Universities Commission (NUC) has not yet released an official statement regarding the strike or possible contingency plans.
Parents and student groups have expressed frustration over the recurrent interruptions in academic schedules caused by ASUU strikes.
Education experts note that Nigeria has experienced frequent university closures due to labor disputes since the 1990s, resulting in prolonged delays for graduates entering the workforce.
The Federal Government is under pressure to find a lasting solution to the dispute, with stakeholders calling for immediate dialogue and enforcement of previous agreements.
Observers say the strike highlights broader challenges in the Nigerian education sector, including underfunding, poor infrastructure, and low morale among academic staff.
Many fear that without swift government action, the strike could escalate, affecting research output and Nigeria’s position in global academic rankings.
ASUU has urged lecturers to prepare for nationwide shutdown procedures beginning Friday if satisfactory negotiations are not concluded.
Students, parents, and educational institutions now await the government’s response as tensions rise over the future of Nigerian universities.
News
APC Halts Taraba Governor’s Defection Event Amid National Outrage Over Kebbi School Attack
DDM News
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has suspended its planned defection ceremony for Taraba State Governor Agbu Kefas, citing the deadly wave of terrorist assaults that have shaken the nation.
DDM gathered that the party’s decision followed public grief and rising national tension after gunmen killed residents and abducted students during a violent raid on a secondary school in Kebbi State.
The defection event was originally scheduled for Wednesday in Abuja.
The APC said it could not proceed with a celebratory political gathering while the country was in mourning.
The party added that it reached the decision out of respect for soldiers, police officers, and civilians who lost their lives in recent attacks across northern Nigeria.
The latest incident in Kebbi State involved heavily armed terrorists who invaded Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School in the Maga community of Danko-Wasagu Local Government Area.
At least twenty-five female students were abducted, sparking nationwide outrage and renewed calls for security reforms.
One student escaped late Monday night, according to the principal, and has since reunited with her family.
Felix Morka, National Publicity Secretary of the APC, announced the suspension in a statement on Tuesday.
Morka praised the courage of Nigeria’s armed forces and emphasised that the APC stands in solidarity with grieving families.
He stated that the party honours the sacrifices of security operatives who confront terrorists daily under harsh and dangerous conditions.
He added that the APC “deeply commiserates” with families affected by the attacks.
He also offered prayers for the safe rescue of the abducted Kebbi schoolgirls.
Security analysts say the party’s decision reflects growing political sensitivity around worsening insecurity, especially as the 2027 election cycle approaches.
The APC has faced criticism over Nigeria’s deteriorating safety situation, with several regions experiencing recurrent banditry, mass abductions and rural terror assaults.
The administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has repeatedly pledged to end insurgency, banditry, and kidnapping.
The presidency maintains that ongoing military operations, including intelligence-driven missions across the northwest, are steadily expanding.
However, citizens and advocacy groups argue that government reactions often come after tragic losses rather than through sustained preventive action.
Political observers say this latest suspension shows how national insecurity is reshaping political activities and public expectations.
Many note that the symbolism of halting the defection event sends a message that political celebrations cannot exist in isolation from citizens’ suffering.
As rescue operations continue in Kebbi, pressure is mounting on security agencies to locate the abducted girls and prevent another prolonged school-kidnap saga like Chibok and Dapchi.
The APC has not announced a new date for the governor’s defection ceremony.
The party insists its focus remains on national stability and the protection of Nigerian lives.
The country continues to await updates from the military as search-and-rescue efforts intensify across remote forests and border corridors.
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News2 days agoBREAKING: ISWAP executes Nigerian Brigade Commander
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News6 days agoBREAKING: President Tinubu Snubs Wike, Backs Lieutenant Yerima, Military
DDM News
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News1 day agoPHOTO: Nigerian Brigade Commander executed by ISWAP has been identified as Brigadier General Uba
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World News4 days agoBREAKING: Multiple explosions hit oil installations in Bakassi Peninsula as group calls for Kanu release
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News4 days agoObiano’s Camp Debunks Death Rumour, Warns Against Fake News
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News3 days agoBREAKING: PDP expels Wike, Fayose, Anyanwu
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News3 days agoBrigadier General reappears after ISWAP ambush
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World News11 hours ago
BREAKING: 7 killed as militants calling for Kanu’s release bomb security checkpoint
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News4 days agoISWAP ambushes military convoy, reportedly abducts Brigade Commander
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News4 days agoTENSION IN UNIUYO: VC PROF. NDAEYO NOMINATES JUNIOR PROFESSORS TO SCREEN SENIOR COLLEAGUES
- ALLEGED PLOT FOR VIOLENCE IF “LAST-MINUTE GAME” FAILS