- President Bola Ahmed Tinubu removed Maryam Sanda, who was sentenced to death in 2020 for killing her husband, from the federal pardon list.
- His aide, Bayo Onanuga, said the decision was taken after a review in consultation with the Council of State and public opinion.
- Tinubu also ordered the deportation of others convicted of serious crimes, including kidnapping, fraud and drug offences.
- The President further directed that the Board of Pardons be relocated to the Department of Justice and issue new guidelines to ensure fairness and transparency in future pardons.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has been removed from office Marian SandaShe was sentenced to death in 2020 for killing her husband, Bilyaminu Bello, a crime not on the federal pardon list.
The announcement comes after Tinubu signed the agreement Leniency and Pardon InstrumentsAccording to his special adviser on information and strategy, Dear Onanuga.
Onanuga explained that the President reviewed the list after consulting the Council of State and taking into account public input.
“Certain persons convicted of serious crimes such as kidnapping, drug-related offences, human trafficking, fraud, illegal possession of firearms/arms dealing have been removed from the list,” he said.
The president noted that the decision was made “in the interest of justice, protection of the public interest, and respect for the feelings of victims and law enforcement agencies.”
Tinubu also ordered the relocation of the Secretariat of the Presidential Advisory Committee on Pardon Privileges from the Ministry of Special Duties to the Ministry of Justice.
He further instructed federal attorney general Issued new guidelines to ensure that future pardons follow proper legal and procedural procedures, reiterating his administration’s commitment to judicial reform and justice.
