President Bola Tinubu has granted a presidential pardon to Nigeria’s nationalist icon, Herbert Macaulay, and former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory under the Babangida regime, Major General Mamman Vatsa (retd), alongside 173 other beneficiaries.
The approval followed a presentation by the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), during Thursday’s Council of State meeting held at the State House, Abuja. Fagbemi conveyed Tinubu’s recommendation based on the report of the Advisory Committee on the Prerogative of Mercy.
Although the full list of the beneficiaries has not yet been published, it was gathered that the pardon covers individuals across various categories, including some members of the Ogoni Nine and Ogoni Four.
A source who attended the meeting said, “Herbert Macaulay and Vatsa are among the two major ones on that list.”
Macaulay, regarded as the “father of Nigerian nationalism,” was twice convicted by colonial authorities in Lagos. In 1913, he was tried and jailed for allegedly misappropriating funds from an estate he managed, while in 1928, he was imprisoned for sedition after his newspaper, Lagos Daily News, published claims related to the Eleko of Lagos agitation. His convictions have since been widely debated by historians as acts of political suppression.
Major General Mamman Vatsa, a poet and military officer, served as Minister of the Federal Capital Territory before his execution on March 5, 1986. He was accused of plotting a coup against then military ruler, General Ibrahim Babangida, his childhood friend. His death has remained controversial, with periodic calls for a posthumous pardon.
Out of the 175 beneficiaries, 82 inmates were granted full presidential pardon, 65 had their sentences reduced, while seven death sentences were commuted to life imprisonment.
Briefing newsmen after the meeting, Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani, confirmed the decision, saying it reflects the President’s commitment to fairness and reform in the justice system.
“Eighty-two of the inmates were granted full pardon, 65 had their sentences reduced, while seven death sentences were commuted to life imprisonment. The decision underscores the President’s commitment to justice and correctional reform,” Sani said.
The Council of State meeting, chaired by Tinubu, also ratified key appointments, including Dr. Aminu Yusuf from Niger State as Chairman of the National Population Commission and Tonge Bularafa as the Federal Commissioner representing Yobe State in the same commission.
The presidential prerogative of mercy is an executive power provided by the Nigerian Constitution that allows the President to grant pardons, commute sentences, or remit penalties for convicted individuals.
