President of the Federal republic of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has granted presidential pardon to 175 persons across various categories, including Nigeria’s foremost nationalist, Herbert Macaulay, and former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Maj.-Gen. Mamman Vatsa (retd.)

The approval followed a presentation by the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), at Thursday’s Council of State meeting held at the State House, Abuja. The presentation was based on the report of the Advisory Committee on the Prerogative of Mercy, which advises the President on matters of clemency and sentence review.

Although the full list of beneficiaries has not been published, sources at the meeting confirmed that members of the Ogoni Nine and Ogoni Four were also among those granted pardon.

Macaulay, regarded as the “Father of Nigerian Nationalism,” was twice convicted by the British colonial administration in Lagos. In 1913, he was jailed for alleged misappropriation of funds while serving as an estate administrator, and again in 1928 after his newspaper, Lagos Daily News, published an article critical of colonial authorities during the Eleko of Lagos agitation. The case, known as the “Gunpowder Plot,” led to a six-month prison sentence with hard labour. Historians have long debated the fairness of both convictions.

Vatsa, a poet, former FCT minister, and member of the Supreme Military Council, was executed by firing squad on March 5, 1986, after a secret military tribunal convicted him of plotting a coup against then Head of State, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida, his childhood friend. The case has remained one of Nigeria’s most controversial political executions, sparking repeated calls for posthumous justice.

Out of the 175 beneficiaries, 82 inmates received a full presidential pardon, 65 had their sentences reduced, while seven death sentences were commuted to life imprisonment.

Briefing State House correspondents after the meeting, Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani said the decision reflected President Tinubu’s dedication to justice and correctional reform.

“Eighty-two of the inmates were granted full pardon, 65 had their sentences reduced, while seven death sentences were commuted to life imprisonment. The decision underscores the President’s commitment to justice and correctional reform,” Sani stated.

The Council of State, chaired by President Tinubu, also ratified key federal appointments, including Dr. Aminu Yusuf from Niger State as Chairman of the National Population Commission (NPC) and Tonge Bularafa as Federal Commissioner representing Yobe State in the Commission. Both appointments received unanimous approval.