***Federation Account deduction for police raised to one per cent
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has granted presidential pardon to 175 persons, including Nigeria’s foremost nationalist, Herbert Macaulay, and one-time Federal Capital Territory Minister, the late Maj.-Gen. Mamman Vatsa (rtd).
Ogoni leaders, including the slain playwright Ken Saro-Wiwa, were also pardoned.
The decision followed the approval of the Council of State at its meeting in Abuja on Thursday.
The move, initiated by the President on the recommendation of the Presidential Advisory Committee on the Prerogative of Mercy (PACPM), was presented by the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN).
The Council ratified the appointment of Dr Aminu Yusuf as Chairman National Population Commission (NPC). It also approved the conferment of national honours on 959 Nigerians and friends of the country.
Maj.-Gen. Vatsa, sentenced to death in 1986 for treason, received a posthumous pardon, while Macaulay, founder of the National Council of Nigeria and the Cameroons (NCNC), was pardoned posthumously for his 1913 conviction by British colonial authorities.
Also pardoned were a former member of the House of Representatives, Farouk Lawan, convicted of bribery collection; Mrs Anastasia Nwaobia, a lawyer; Hussaini Umar and Ayinla Alanamu.
Also listed were Nweke Chibueze, serving a life term for cocaine possession, and Dr Nwogu Peters, who had served 12 out of a 17-year sentence for fraud.
The Ogoni Nine — Ken Saro-Wiwa, Saturday Dobee, Nordu Eawo, Daniel Gbooko, Paul Levera, Felix Nuate, Baribor Bera, Barinem Kiobel, and John Kpuine — were also pardoned.
The Ogoni Four–Chief Albert Badey, Chief Edward Kobani, Chief Samuel Orage, and Theophilus Orage — received national honours.
President Tinubu granted clemency to 82 inmates, reduced the prison terms of 65 others, and commuted seven death sentences to life imprisonment.
The PACPM , chaired by the Attorney-General, has Chief Akinlolu Olujinmi (SAN); Prof. Alkasum Abba; Prof. (Mrs.) Nike Y. Sidikat Ijaiya; Justice Augustine B. Utsaha; and Dr Onwusoro Maduka (Secretary) as members.
It also has representatives of the Police, Nigerian Correctional Service, National Human Rights Commission, NSCIA, and CAN.
According to the committee’s report, 175 inmates were interviewed and 62 applications were received on behalf of 119 others, bringing the total to 294 cases considered.
Of these, 82 were recommended for clemency, two for pardon, 65 for sentence reduction, and seven death sentences for commutation.
Fifteen ex-convicts were also recommended for presidential pardon — 11 of them posthumously, including the Ogoni Nine.
The committee said it considered factors such as old age (60 years and above), terminal illness, youth (16 years and below), long-term incarceration with good conduct, remorse, vocational skills training, and recommendations from correctional officers, including Nigerian prisoners deported from abroad.
The PACPM was inaugurated on January 15, 2025, by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, to promote justice, rehabilitation, and human rights.
Briefing reporters after the Council of State and Police Council meetings, Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani said the approvals underscored President Tinubu’s commitment to justice reform and humane governance.
According to him, the gesture aims to decongest correctional facilities and promote restorative justice, in line with Section 175 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which empowers the President to grant pardons, reprieves, or commute sentences.
Alhaji Tonge Bularafa was approved as Federal Commissioner representing Yobe State at the NPC.
Gates, Yakubu, Amuka-Pemu, 956 get national honours
In another major decision, the Council approved President Tinubu’s proposal to confer national honours on 959 eminent individuals for the 2024–2025 cycle.
Permanent Secretary, Cabinet Affairs Office, Dr Emanso Umobong, said the awards included 824 successful applications and 135 special recognitions.
She explained that the reconstituted National Honours Award Committee, chaired by the Emir of Lafia, Justice Mohammed Bage, screened over 5,000 applications before submitting its final recommendations.
Among those to be honoured are philanthropist Bill Gates, veteran journalist and publisher, Sam Amuka-Pemu, and immediate past INEC Chairman Prof. Mahmood Yakubu.
Super Falcons and D’Tigresses received recognition for excellence in sports.
Police Council approves funding proposals
Minister of Police Affairs, Ibrahim Gaidam, stated that the Police Council approved proposals to strengthen the Nigeria Police Trust Fund (NPTF), including the repeal and re-enactment of its Establishment Act 2025 to remove the six-year sunset clause and render it a permanent agency.
He proposed raising the statutory deduction from the Federation Account from 0.5 per cent to two per cent to expand funding for police training, welfare, logistics, and technology.
The Council, however, approved an increment of one per cent.
“All our prayers were approved without omission,” the minister said, noting that the Attorney-General has been directed to incorporate the approvals into a proposed Executive Bill.
