(DDM) – President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reportedly reviewed and trimmed the initial list of individuals slated to benefit from his planned presidential pardon and clemency, following public outrage over the inclusion of certain controversial figures.
Diaspora Digital Media (DDM) gathered that the move came after Nigerians, civil society organizations, and opposition leaders criticized the preliminary list, arguing that it included individuals convicted of serious corruption, abuse of office, and financial mismanagement.
According to sources within the Presidency, the new list, approved after a detailed review, excludes former governors, ex-ministers, and senior political figures who were serving jail terms or had pending appeals on corruption-related offences.
Among those said to be excluded are high-profile political figures previously convicted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
DDM learned that President Tinubu’s decision followed consultations with the Presidential Advisory Committee on Prerogative of Mercy, the Federal Ministry of Justice, and the National Council of State.
A senior government official disclosed that the review aimed to “ensure that the presidential pardon process is not seen as a political tool but as a humanitarian gesture aligned with justice and fairness.”
The official added, “The President was very clear that anyone convicted for looting public funds or compromising national security will not benefit from the clemency list.”
Background checks by DDM show that presidential pardons in Nigeria have historically generated controversy, especially when extended to politically exposed persons.
Previous administrations faced similar backlash when figures convicted of graft or money laundering were freed under the guise of national reconciliation.
Human rights groups, including the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), had earlier warned Tinubu against using the clemency process to undermine the country’s anti-corruption campaign.
In a recent statement, SERAP urged the President to “prioritize justice over politics” and ensure that the process “does not embolden corrupt individuals or erode public trust in governance.”
Sources within the Federal Ministry of Justice confirmed that the revised list now focuses on inmates serving long sentences for minor, non-violent offences, including aged prisoners, the terminally ill, and those with records of good conduct while in custody.
President Tinubu, according to insiders, plans to make the final list public after formal ratification by the Council of State, expected before the end of November 2025.
Legal analysts told DDM that this decision could help restore public confidence in the justice system, provided that the administration maintains transparency in publishing the full names of those granted clemency.
Tinubu, who has often emphasized his administration’s commitment to anti-corruption, reportedly expressed displeasure at how some individuals lobbied to be included on the original list.
Observers note that this review aligns with his broader policy of promoting accountability and rebuilding trust between government institutions and the Nigerian people.
As Nigerians await the publication of the final list, the Presidency is said to be working closely with the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) to identify eligible inmates who meet the new criteria for release.
The revised clemency exercise, according to sources, will now focus on justice reform, rather than political patronage, a move many hope will signal a new era of fairness and credibility in Nigeria’s governance process.
