President Bola Tinubu has reversed part of his controversial presidential pardon that generated nationwide condemnation after it was discovered that several convicted kidnappers, drug traffickers, and fraudsters were on the list.
The pardon, which was approved at the National Council of State meeting on October 9, 2025, covered at least 175 persons.
However, following massive backlash, the president ordered an immediate review.
In a statement released on Wednesday, the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, confirmed that those found guilty of serious crimes had been struck off.
“Consequently, certain persons convicted of serious crimes such as kidnapping, drug-related offences, human trafficking, fraud, unlawful possession of firearms/arms dealing, etc., were deleted from the list,” Onanuga said.
He explained that some convicts who had earlier been fully pardoned would now serve reduced sentences instead.
“Others who had been hitherto pardoned in the old list had their sentences commuted,” he added.
The decision comes amid intense public pressure, with critics accusing the presidency of sending the wrong message by extending mercy to hardened criminals.
