Tinubu Grants Clemency to 175 Nigerians Including Maryam Sanda

President Bola Tinubu has granted presidential pardon and clemency to 175 Nigerians, including high-profile figures, political detainees, and long-serving inmates. The list of beneficiaries includes Maryam Sanda, a convicted killer housewife who was sentenced to death in 2020 for murdering her husband. The amnesty, approved under the prerogative of mercy, covers a range of individuals, including those convicted of crimes such as cocaine trafficking, fraud, and murder.

The presidential media aide, Bayo Onanuga, announced the list of beneficiaries in a statement, which includes 67 individuals who were sentenced for unlawful mining. Senator Ikra Aliyu Bilbis has signed an undertaking to be responsible for the rehabilitation and empowerment of these individuals. The list also includes individuals who have shown remorse and acquired vocational skills while in prison, such as Abiodun Elemero, who was sentenced to life imprisonment for cocaine hawking in 2014.

In addition to the pardons, President Tinubu has also reduced the prison terms of 55 individuals, including Yusuf Owolabi, who was sentenced to life in 2015 for manslaughter. The prison terms were reduced based on factors such as good conduct, remorsefulness, and the acquisition of vocational skills. The reduced sentences range from 3 to 13 years, depending on the individual’s circumstances.

The decision to grant pardons and clemency is seen as a significant move by President Tinubu, who has used his prerogative of mercy to show compassion and rehabilitation to those who have committed crimes. The move is also expected to ease congestion in Nigeria’s prisons, where many inmates are serving lengthy sentences for various crimes.

The full list of beneficiaries includes individuals from various backgrounds and convicted of different crimes. The presidential pardon and clemency are expected to bring relief to the families and loved ones of those affected. The decision is also seen as a positive step towards promoting rehabilitation and reintegration of former prisoners into society.

The Nigerian government has been facing criticism over the country’s prison system, which has been plagued by overcrowding and poor conditions. The presidential pardon and clemency are seen as a move to address these issues and promote a more humane and rehabilitation-focused approach to justice. With this decision, President Tinubu has demonstrated his commitment to using his executive powers to promote justice and compassion in Nigeria.