Indications emerged on Thursday that certain individuals listed in the presidential pardon recently approved by the Council of State may be excluded from the final version, following concerns raised over the inclusion of some controversial names.

The move follows widespread criticism of the list presented by the Attorney-General of the Federation, Prince Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), which contained several high-profile and violent offenders pardoned by President Bola Tinubu.

Traditionally, presidential pardons are issued to mark significant national events and are aimed at decongesting prisons while fostering reconciliation.

According to the Presidency, the latest exercise was based on recommendations from the Presidential Advisory Committee on the Prerogative of Mercy, chaired by the Attorney-General.

The statement explained that the beneficiaries fell into six categories: those granted pardons, those given posthumous pardons (including the Ogoni Nine), individuals honoured as victims of the Ogoni Nine, those granted presidential clemency, inmates whose prison terms were reduced, and death row inmates whose sentences were commuted to life imprisonment.

However, this latest round of clemency has reignited conversations about the credibility and transparency of Nigeria’s pardon process.

Fagbemi (SAN) clarified on Thursday that the Presidential Prerogative of Mercy recently announced was “still under review and had not been finalised.”

Controversy has persisted over the inclusion of some names, with anti-graft and security agencies such as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) reportedly taking steps to prevent the release of certain individuals on the list.

During the Council of State meeting on October 9, 2025, Fagbemi listed categories of beneficiaries including illegal miners, white-collar offenders, drug convicts, foreigners, Maj. Gen. Mamman Vatsa, Prof. Magaji Garba, Ken Saro-Wiwa and the Ogoni Eight, as well as capital offenders like Maryam Sanda — among the 175 persons granted pardon.

The Presidency released the full list on Saturday, October 11, 2025.

While some politically exposed individuals on the list, such as Herbert Macaulay and Farouk Lawan, attracted little criticism, outrage grew over the inclusion of those linked to violent crimes and national security threats.

Among them was Maryam Sanda, convicted in 2017 for the fatal stabbing of her husband, Bilyaminu Bello. Although members of Bello’s family expressed opposition to her pardon, his father, Alhaji Bello Isa, and Maryam’s father, Alhaji Garba Sanda, held a joint press conference accepting the presidential gesture.

Other pardoned individuals included Major S. Alabi Akubo, who received a life sentence for unlawful possession of firearms, and Kelvin Prosper Oniarah, a notorious kidnapper whose criminal network extended across Delta, Edo, Rivers, Abia, Benue, and Oyo States.

Questions were also raised about the inclusion of convicts involved in killing security personnel, drug trafficking, and money laundering.

The controversy has reportedly led to a fresh review of the clemency process, with the Presidency now considering dropping names that have generated significant public backlash.

A presidential aide, speaking anonymously, revealed that agencies including the EFCC, ICPC, and NDLEA raised strong objections to the list, claiming that some names “were smuggled in” and not part of those endorsed by the official advisory committee.

According to the source, anti-corruption bodies cautioned that releasing certain individuals could “undermine the ongoing fight against corruption and organised crime.”

He added that a senior security source maintained that some offenders “can never be released,” especially those convicted of killing law enforcement officers or engaging in kidnapping and other capital crimes.

“The list was too wide, and some of the names did not pass the necessary security vetting. The EFCC, NDLEA, and other security agencies have insisted that the list must be pruned down. Not all the names came from the committee that reviewed the cases,” the aide said.

Officials familiar with the matter noted that the revised list would likely exclude individuals whose release could pose security concerns or erode public confidence in the justice system.

“The list will be trimmed to reflect only those who genuinely deserve the President’s mercy. Those whose inclusion created controversy will be expunged,” another senior source told The PUNCH.

A security agency official further disclosed that “some low-level officers at the level of the committee smuggled in some names. Obviously, the President is unaware of some of the names on that list.”

“They have now sent the list to NDLEA and other security agencies for review. Some of the names on the list did not meet the criteria. Some low-level officers bypassed the criteria. In fact, some of the cases are still fresh. The good thing is that they are still in custody; they have not been released,” he added.

An official of an anti-graft agency also said anonymously, “I am aware the ICPC and the police are not comfortable with the list because the names of some convicts who are not supposed to be on that list are there.”

When contacted, officials from the concerned agencies declined to comment officially.

Fagbemi reaffirmed on Thursday that the Presidential Prerogative of Mercy “remains at the final administrative stage, which includes a standard review to ensure that all names and recommendations fully comply with established legal and procedural requirements before any instrument of release is issued.”

He explained that once the Council of State grants approval, the next step is the issuance of a formal instrument authorising the President’s decision for each beneficiary.

“This stage affords an opportunity for a final review of the list for remedial purposes, if necessary, before the instrument is forwarded to the Controller-General of Corrections for necessary action. This verification process is part of the standard protocol and reflects the government’s commitment to transparency and due diligence,” the AGF said.

Fagbemi thanked Nigerians for their vigilance, noting that the feedback “is a sign of Nigerians’ deep concern for justice and good governance.”

“There is no delay in the process; it is simply following the law to the letter to ensure that only those duly qualified benefit from the President’s mercy. As soon as all legal and procedural checks are concluded, the public will be duly informed. The rule of law does not rush; it ensures fairness.”