Nigerian President Bola Tinubu has granted a presidential pardon to 175 individuals, among them convicted murderers and drug traffickers. According to Bayo Onanuga, the president’s special adviser on media and public information, the list of beneficiaries includes 28 drug traffickers, 41 illegal miners and 22 murderers.
The decision has provoked a strong reaction across Nigeria, with many calling for the pardon to be reversed. The family of the late Bilyaminu Ahmed condemned the pardon of Maryam Sandain, who was convicted of murdering her husband in 2017 and sentenced to death by hanging in January 2020. Nigerian actress Kemi Afolabi also weighed in, urging citizens to prioritize their safety. In an Instagram story she wrote, “Do not allow anyone to take your life, guard it with all your being.”
Critics argue that the pardon undermines the rule of law and could embolden criminal activity. They question the criteria used to select the beneficiaries and warn of the potential impact on victims’ families and communities. As the controversy unfolds, many Nigerians are awaiting how the government and other stakeholders will address the situation. The pardon carries significant implications for the country’s justice system and for public perception of the government’s commitment to upholding the law and protecting its citizens.
Comments are closed for this story.