ICYMI: Tinubu Approves Presidential Pardon for Herbert Macaulay and 174 Others

The Council of State has approved the exercise of the presidential prerogative of mercy for 175 individuals across various categories.

The decision followed a presentation by the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), who relayed President Bola Tinubu’s recommendations based on the report of the Advisory Committee on the Prerogative of Mercy. The approval was granted during Thursday’s Council of State meeting held at the State House, Abuja.

Although the full list of beneficiaries has not yet been released, it was learned that the late nationalist Herbert Macaulay and former Federal Capital Territory Minister Maj. Gen. Mamman Vatsa (retd.) were among those granted presidential pardon. Members of the Ogoni Nine and Ogoni Four were also listed among the recipients.

Macaulay, widely regarded as the father of Nigerian nationalism, was twice convicted under British colonial rule. In 1913, he was sentenced for alleged misappropriation of estate funds, and in 1928, he was jailed for sedition following publications in his Lagos Daily News during the Eleko of Lagos agitation. Both convictions have long been viewed as politically motivated.

Maj. Gen. Vatsa, a poet, soldier, and member of the Supreme Military Council, served as Minister of the Federal Capital Territory under the Babangida administration. He was executed by firing squad on March 5, 1986, after being convicted by a secret military tribunal for alleged involvement in a coup attempt against then Head of State, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida, his longtime friend. The case has remained one of Nigeria’s most controversial military trials, with frequent calls for a posthumous pardon.

Out of the 175 beneficiaries, 82 inmates received full pardons, 65 had their sentences reduced, and seven death sentences were commuted to life imprisonment.

Briefing journalists after the meeting, Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani said the move reflected the President’s dedication to justice reform and humane correctional policies.

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

The Council of State meeting, chaired by President Tinubu, also ratified several appointments, including Dr. Aminu Yusuf from Niger State as Chairman of the National Population Commission, and Tonge Bularafa as Federal Commissioner representing Yobe State on the commission. Both appointments received unanimous endorsement.