Abuja: President Bola Tinubu has granted a posthumous pardon to late Maj.-Gen. Mamman Vatsa, who was executed for treason in 1986 under the military regime of Gen. Ibrahim Babangida. This was announced in a statement issued by Presidential spokesperson, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, following a National Council of State meeting.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Vatsa, a soldier-poet, was among 17 individuals granted presidential pardons, as endorsed by the council. The president also granted a posthumous pardon to Herbert Macaulay, the pioneer nationalist and co-founder of the National Council of Nigeria and the Cameroons. Macaulay, NCNC's first President, played a significant role in Nigeria's independence movement and was controversially convicted by British authorities in 1913. Although Macaulay died in 1946, the colonial-era conviction remained on record until now.
Tinubu also pardoned four former convicts, including former House of Representatives member, Farouk Lawan, Mrs. Anastasia Daniel Nwaobia, Hussaini Umar, and Ayinla Alanamu. Their pardons were granted to support their reintegration following demonstrations of remorse and good conduct. Nweke Francis Chibueze, serving a life term for cocaine trafficking, also received a pardon. Dr. Nwogu Peters, who was jailed for 17 years for fraud and having served 12, was likewise pardoned.
The late Ogoni Nine, including Ken Saro-Wiwa, were formally pardoned. Tinubu further honoured the Ogoni Four with posthumous national awards. In a sweeping exercise of constitutional powers, Tinubu granted clemency to 82 inmates and reduced sentences for 65 others. Seven inmates on death row had their sentences commuted to life imprisonment.
The clemency decisions were based on recommendations from the Presidential Advisory Committee on the Prerogative of Mercy (PACPM), which comprises 12 members chaired by Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Mr. Lateef Fagbemi. Other members include Chief Akinlolu Olujinmi, Prof. Alkasum Abba, Prof. Nike Sidikat Ijaiya, Justice Augustine Utsaha, and Dr. Onwusoro Maduka (Secretary). Institutional members include representatives of the Police, Nigerian Correctional Service, NHRC, NSCIA, CAN, and Ministry of Special Duties.
The committee submitted its final report to the Council of State in line with constitutional procedures. Onanuga noted that a total of 175 inmates were interviewed, and 62 applications were received on behalf of 119 inmates considered by the committee, making it a total of 294. Most of the inmates interviewed were male, with 160 males and 15 females.
On the whole, 82 inmates were recommended for clemency, two for pardon, 65 for sentence reduction, and seven death sentences were commuted. Fifteen ex-convicts were recommended for Presidential Pardon, 11 of whom are deceased, including the Ogoni Nine. The committee applied strict criteria, including age, terminal illness, youth, and good behaviour during incarceration.
The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, inaugurated the PACPM on January 15 to enhance justice, rehabilitation, and human rights in Nigeria.