Tinubu Grants Historic Pardons To Herbert Macaulay, Vatsa, Lawan, And Ogoni Nine

82 inmates get clemency; 65 sentences reduced, seven death penalties commuted

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Thursday granted posthumous pardons to Nigerian nationalist Herbert Macaulay, late poet-soldier Major General Mamman Jiya Vatsa, and the Ogoni Nine, led by environmental activist Ken Saro-Wiwa.

The move followed the endorsement of the National Council of State, which met at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, to consider the recommendations of the Presidential Advisory Committee on the Prerogative of Mercy (PACPM).

The sweeping clemency exercise also saw 82 inmates granted freedom, 65 others receiving sentence reductions, and seven death row convicts having their sentences commuted to life imprisonment.

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Herbert Macaulay, one of Nigeria’s earliest nationalists and co-founder of the National Council of Nigeria and the Cameroons (NCNC), was unjustly convicted by British colonial authorities in 1913 and barred from public service.

Although he died in 1946, the stigma of the colonial conviction remained until President Tinubu’s posthumous pardon formally cleared his name.

Similarly, Major General Mamman Vatsa, executed in 1986 for alleged treason under the military regime of General Ibrahim Babangida, was also granted a posthumous pardon, nearly four decades after his controversial death.

Other beneficiaries include former House of Representatives member Farouk Lawan, former Permanent Secretary Mrs. Anastasia Daniel Nwaobia, Barr. Hussaini Umar, and Ayinla Saadu Alanamu, all said to have shown genuine remorse.

Also pardoned were Nweke Francis Chibueze, who had been serving a life sentence for cocaine offences, and Dr. Nwogu Peters, who had served 12 of a 17-year jail term for fraud.

In a significant reconciliation gesture, President Tinubu pardoned the Ogoni Nine, including Ken Saro-Wiwa, Saturday Dobee, Nordu Eawo, Baribor Bera, Barinem Kiobel, and others executed in 1995 under General Sani Abacha.

Additionally, four Ogoni leaders, Chief Albert Badey, Chief Edward Kobani, Chief Samuel Orage, and Theophilus Orage, received posthumous national honours for their roles in promoting justice and peace.

The Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), chaired the PACPM, which reviewed 294 applications before submitting its report to the Council of State.

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According to the report, 175 beneficiaries met the criteria for clemency, including old age (60 and above), terminal illness, long-term incarceration with good conduct, and demonstrated rehabilitation.

The committee was inaugurated on January 15, 2025, by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, as part of efforts to advance justice reform and human rights.

Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said the exercise reflected Tinubu’s commitment to “justice, reconciliation, and national healing.”

He added that the President’s action “restores dignity to historical figures wronged by colonial and military excesses” and underscores his belief in giving second chances to reformed citizens.