President Bola Tinubu has directed that individuals convicted of kidnapping, drug-related offenses, human trafficking and unlawful possession of fire arms be removed from the list of presidential pardon.
At least 175 persons were granted presidential pardon at the National Council of State meeting on October 9, 2025.10.29
However, following a nationwide outrage over the inclusion of individuals convicted of serious offences, the Presidency said it was reviewing the list and has now come up with exceptions.
In a statement on Wednesday, the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said, “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 added, “Others who had been hitherto pardoned in the old list had their sentences commuted.”
