Following is the new approved revised list of convicts granted clemency under the Instrument of Presidential Prerogative of Mercy, 2025.

The earlier list released by the Presidency was met with widespread criticism.

The reviewed list, dated October 21, 2025 and personally signed by the President, has 86 names of inmates across various correctional Centres in the Country whose sentences were reduced or commuted under Section 175 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

The document is titled Reduced Terms of Imprisonment and Sentence, 2025.

In it many convicted for offences ranging from manslaughter, culpable homicide, drug trafficking, illegal possession of firearms, conspiracy, and unlawful mining were granted reduced sentences.

They include:

Homicide and Manslaughter Cases

• Yusuf Owolabi (36) – Convicted of manslaughter in 2015 and sentenced to life imprisonment at the Maximum Security Custodial Centre, Kirikiri. Now to serve 15 years based on “educational improvement, remorsefulness and acquisition of vocational skills.”
• Ifeanyi Eze (33) – Life sentence for manslaughter (2021), now to serve 15 years.
• Maryam Sanda (37) – Convicted for culpable homicide (2020) and sentenced to death by hanging. Her sentence commuted to 12 years based on “compassionate grounds, the best interest of her children, good conduct and remorsefulness.”
• Markus Yusuf (41) – Culpable homicide (2023), 13-year sentence reduced to 8 years due to ill health.
• Alhaji Abubakar Tanko (61) – Culpable homicide (2018), 30-year term reduced to 20 years.

Drug and Narcotics Offences

• Patrick Mensah (40) – Drugs (2015), 17 years reduced to 13 years.
• Obi Edwin Chukwu (43), Tunde Balogun (32), Lima Pereira Erick Diego (27), Uchegbu Emeka Michael (37), Salawu Adebayo Samsudeen (46), and Napolo (61) were all convicted for drug trafficking between 2015–2017.

“Sentences of 15 years reduced to 12 years each based on “remorsefulness and vocational skill acquisition.”

• Dias Santos Marela Christiana (44) – Convicted of importing cocaine in 2017; 15-year term reduced to 12 years for “remorsefulness and deportation.”
• Isaac Justina (40), Aishat Kehinde (38), Helen Solomon (68), Okoye Tochukwu (43), and Ugwuze Paul (38) – Convicted of cannabis-related offences, all granted reduced terms of between 3 and 7 years.

Financial and Fraud-related Offences

• Mustapha Ahmed (46) – Criminal breach of trust; 7-year sentence cut to 5 years.
• Innocent Brown Idiong (60) – Possession of Indian hemp; 10-year term reduced to 6 years.
• Inibong Imayen Nuikidem (46) – Obtaining money by false pretence; 7 years cut to 5 years.
• Buka Adamu (40) – Advance fee fraud; 20 years reduced to 9 years.
• Ada Audu (72) – Fraud; 7-year mandatory imprisonment cut to 4 years.
• Chief Jonathan Alatoru (66), Umannah Ekatte (70), Utom Thompson Udoaka (60) – Granted reduced terms for age, remorsefulness and good conduct.

Firearms and Related Offences

• Abubakar Mamman (38) – Possession of AK-47 rifle (2020); 10-year sentence cut to 7 years.
• Muhammed Bello Musa (35) – Possession of firearms; 10 years reduced to 7 years.
• Nnamdi Anene (67) – Illegal dealing in firearms; life sentence commuted to 20 years.
• Alhaji Ibrahim Hameed (71) – Illegal property possession; 7 years reduced to 5 years.

Maritime and Conspiracy Offences

• Bright Agbedeyi (46), Babangida Saliu (35), Jude Saka Ebaragha (44), Frank Insort Abaka (46), Sluna Alolo (42), David Akinseye (39), Ahmed Toyin (46), Shobajo Saheed (57), Adamole Philip (52), and Mathew Masi (39) were all convicted for conspiracy to hijack fishing vessels in 2020. Their 12-year sentences were reduced to eight years with N1m fines waived “based on remorsefulness and impecuniosity.”

Unlawful Mining Offenders

A total of at least 45 inmates across the Medium Security Custodial Centre, Agodi, Oyo State, were convicted in January 2024 for unlawful mining.

Each was sentenced to three years, now reduced to two years, “based on remorsefulness, good conduct and a letter of undertaking dated April 22, 2025,” reportedly facilitated by Senator Ikra Aliyu Bilbis for their rehabilitation and empowerment after release.

The list includes:

Yusuf Alhassan, Abdullahi Isah, Zayanu Bello, Habeeb Suleman, Jubria Sahabi, Shefiu Umar, Seidu Abubakar, Haruna Abubakar, Rabiu Seidu, Macha Kuru, Zahradeen Aminu, Nazipi Musa, Abdullahi Musa, Habibu Safiu, Husseni Sani, Musa Lawali, Suleiman Lawale, Yusuf Iliyasu, Sabiyu Aliyu, Halliru Sani, Shittu Aliyu, Sanusi Aminu, Isaaka Adamu, Mamman Ibrahim, Shaibu Abdullahi, Sanusi Adamu, Sadi Musa, and Haruna Isah, among others.

Presidential Approval and Legal Backing

The document cites Section 175 of the 1999 Constitution, which empowers the President to “grant any person concerned with or convicted of any offence in Nigeria a pardon, either free or subject to lawful conditions.”

It was formally titled: “S.I. No. 79 of 2025: Instrument of Presidential Prerogative of Mercy (Reduced Terms of Imprisonment and Sentence).”

By Ayodele Oni

Bowing to public criticisms, President Bola Tinubu has withdrawn the pardon earlier granted to certain persons convicted of serious crimes such as kidnapping, drug-related offences, human trafficking, fraud, unlawful possession of firearms/arms dealing, among others.

Accordingly, their names have been delisted from the list of those granted presidential pardon.

Furthermore, to ensure that future exercises meet public expectations and best practices, the President has directed the immediate relocation of the Secretariat of the Presidential Advisory Committee on Prerogative of Mercy from the Federal Ministry of Special Duties to the Federal Ministry of Justice.

This was as President Tinubu on Wednesday, October 29, 2025, executed the relevant instruments of release to complete the process of formally exercising his constitutional power of prerogative of mercy to grant pardon and clemency to specific individuals who were earlier convicted for various offences.

The development followed consultations with the Council of State and public opinion on the matter, which led the President to have directed a further review of the initially approved list for consideration in furtherance of the President’s discretionary powers under Section 175(1)(&(2) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

As a result, others who had been hitherto pardoned in the old list had their sentences commuted.

A statement by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, stated that the action became necessary in view of the seriousness and security implications of some of the offences, the need to be sensitive to the feelings of the victims of the crimes and society in general, the need to boost the morale of law enforcement agencies and adherence to bilateral obligations.

The Presidency in the statement noted that the concept of justice as a three-way traffic for the Accused, the Victim, and the State/Society also guided the review.

The statement said that the approved list of eligible beneficiaries has been transmitted to the Nigerian Correctional Service for implementation in line with the duly signed instruments of release.

President Tinubu also directed the Attorney-General of the Federation to issue appropriate Guidelines for the Exercise of the Power of Prerogative of Mercy, which includes compulsory consultation with relevant prosecuting agencies.

The Presidency said the new arrangement will ensure that only persons who fully meet the stipulated legal and procedural requirements will henceforth benefit from the issuance of instruments of release.

President Tinubu appreciated the constructive feedback and engagement from stakeholders and the general public on the matter and also reaffirmed his administration’s broader commitment to judicial reforms and improving the administration of justice in Nigeria.

By Ayodele Oni

Former Petroleum Minister (State), Chief Timipre Sylva, has reacted to report of his involvement in a phantom coup, dismissing the report as handiwork of “desperate and narcissistic politicians plotting to actualise their ambitions in 2027.”

Sylva, who spoke through his Special Assistant on Media and Public Affairs, Chief Julius Bokoru maintained that he is not involved any coup as rumoured in some quarters,

Bokoru, in a statement on Wednesday, said those politicians behind the rumour see Sylva as their obstacle.

He said such evil politicians took their desperation to a sickening level following Sylva’s intimidating political presence and credibility, that had continued to expose their dark, self-serving ambitions.

Describing the former governor as an unrepentant and thoroughbred democrat, Bokoru said Sylva had shown unwavering support to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his administration.

He recalled that Sylva recently mobilised the entire structures of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Bayelsa State to unanimously endorese President Tinubu at the APC Bayelsa expanded stakehokders’ meeting

Bokoru, however, admitted that Sylva’s Abuja home was subjected to a raid by individuals beleived to be operatives of the Defence Headquarters saying they inflicted a significant damage on the property.

He said the security operatives that raided Sylva’s house did not provide any reason for their action and confirmed that Sylva and his wife were already out of the country at the time of the raid.

Explaining their absence, Bokoru pointed out that Sylva was in the United Kingdom for a routine medical checks and would soon be on his way to Malaysia to attend a professional conference.

“In the past forty-eight hours, I have been inundated with calls from members of the press, political associates, and concerned individuals regarding a circulating report alleging that His Excellency, Chief Timipre Sylva, has ‘fled’ the country in connection with certain purported matters.

“For the avoidance of doubt, it is true that the residence of His Excellency, Chief Timipre Sylva, was recently subjected to a raid by individuals believed to be operatives of the Defence Headquarters. During the said operation, considerable damage was inflicted upon the property.

“Despite sustained efforts, I have been unable to ascertain the reasons or authorisation for this raid. To the best of my knowledge, the officers involved did not provide any categorical explanation for their actions, either at the time or subsequently.

“It is important to state unequivocally that His Excellency, Chief Timipre Sylva, CON, and his esteemed wife, Her Excellency, Alanyingi Sylva, were both outside the country at the time of the incident.

“As at my last communication with His Excellency, he was engaged in a routine medical check-up in the United Kingdom, after which he was scheduled to proceed to Malaysia to attend a professional conference.

“The next development I was made aware of, regrettably, were reports circulating across social media and other platforms concerning the raid on his residence.

“While the Defence Headquarters has already debunked the swirling rumours of a coup in Nigeria, it is important to state emphatically that Chief Timipre Sylva, CON, has no involvement whatsoever—either in planning or in logistics—with any such plot.

“Chief Sylva is a thoroughbred democrat, whose entire political journey has been defined by his faith in democratic processes and institutions. From the 1990s, when he was first elected into the Old Rivers State House of Assembly, to his tenure as Governor of Bayelsa State, Sylva has achieved every milestone through transparent, democratic engagement and the will of the people.

“His unwavering support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is a matter of public record. It remains fresh in memory how he mobilized the entire Bayelsa APC structure to unanimously endorse President Tinubu at the APC Bayelsa Expanded Stakeholders’ Meeting.

“These rumours are nothing more than the handiwork of desperate and narcissistic politicians, already consumed by ambitions for 2027, who see Sylva as their last real obstacle—a man whose political presence and credibility continue to expose their dark, self-serving ambitions”

By Adesina Soyooye

A group has distanced a past Governor of Baelsa State, Timpre Sylva, from involvement in any coup plot against President Bola Tinubu’s Government.

In the past couple of days, Sylva’s name has been thrown around for alleged Involvement in an alleged Coup plot for which 16 military officers have been arrested.

The Defence Headquarters confirms the arrest of the officers but said they were arrested and detained not for any Coup plot but for misconduct which breached Military rules.

However, on October 28, the alleged involvement of Sylva surfaced with an insistence that the former Minister’s homes in both Abuja and Bayelsa, were raided by soldiers and his younger brother, identified as Paga, arrested. Sylva is out of the Country.

The story of Sylva’s involvement was first broken by SaharaReporters. Neither the Federal Government nor the Military  has confirmed any such incident.

However, in a reaction on Wednesday, October 29, a group  which identified itself as Sylva Staunch Supporters dismissed the reports which linked him to the alleged coup plot as false and politically motivated.

In a statement, it questioned the motives behind such publications by SaharaReporter of an alleged coup  despite official military clarification that there was no such thing.

Said the group: “It begs the question: Is SaharaReporters now the official news outlet of the military, or does it have another agenda?

“The persistence in pushing a debunked narrative is becoming increasingly embarrassing.”

The group flaunted Sylva’s record as a loyal member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and a staunch and  consistent supporter of President Tinubu’s administration.

“The public deserves accurate and unbiased information. The Media organizations must act responsibly and verify their claims before publication.

“By spreading falsehoods and misinformation, Sahara Reporters is not only damaging reputations but also contributing to the erosion of trust in national institutions.”

The statement did not, however, confirm or deny if soldiers raided Sylva’s homes or not.

By Akinwale Kasali

“We are sticking with the narrative of the Military that there was no aborted Coup” – Presidency

As the rumour of an alleged aborted Coup plot against the Government of President Bola Tinubu continues to grow wings, the Presidency has finally reacted. It said it believes the Military that there was no such thing as an aborted Coup plot.

Recall that the rumour started when it was revealed that about 16 Military Officers, including a Brigadier-General, are in custody over an alleged Coup plot. The story was first broken by SaharaReporters.

Nothing much was thought about it then, but members of the public started adding two and two together, especially, with the sudden cancelation of the October 1 Military Parade to mark Nigeria’s 65th Independence Anniversary by the Federal Government.

The Military was forced, so to say, to confirm the arrest and detention of the officers, and denied  their detention has anything to do with an aborted Coup plot.

Explaining why they were detained, the Director of Defence Information, Brig-Gen Tukur Gusau said: “The Armed Forces of Nigeria wishes to inform the public that a routine military exercise has resulted in the arrest of sixteen officers over issues of indiscipline and breach of service regulations.

“Investigations have revealed that their grievances stemmed largely from perceived career stagnation caused by repeated failure in promotion examinations”.

But, the sudden removal of three Service Chiefs of the Army, Navy and Airforce, as well as the Chief of Defence Staff. and their immediate replacement added fire to an already burning house. While the Chief of Army Staff was removed from office, he was elevated to the office of the Chief of Defence Staff, meaning that the Army, Navy and Airforce, now have new Service Chiefs.

While Nigerians were still trying to process the situation, a dangerous and confusing angle was introduced on Tuesday, September 27, with the alleged raid, by soldiers, of the homes of the immediate past Minister of State, under the late President Muhammadu Buhari’s Government, Timipere Sylva, at both Abuja and Bayelsa for alleged connection with the alleged aborted Coup. Sylva, a former Governor of Bayelsa State and a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, APC, was allegedly named by one of the Military officers arrested as a financier of the alleged aborted Coup.

During the raid, Sylva was not at home, but his younger brother Paga Sylva, who serves as his Special Assistant, Domestic Affairs, was, allegedly, arrested.

Sylva, according to reports, was out of the country, preparing to head back home when he heard the news of the arrest of the 16 Military Officers, and so aborted the trip home.

Also, under custody, is a yet-to-be publicly named Managing Director of a South-South based Federal Government Commission who, allegedly, moved a large sum of money to one of Sylva’s bank accounts. Investigators, it is said, want him to explain what the moved large sum of money was meant for.

These stories have put not a few people on edge with questions such as – “Why would Sylva be involved in such a dangerous venture? Is he crazy? What will he be looking for?

While neither the National Security Adviser, Malam Nuhu Ribadu, nor the Military has said a word since the Tuesday “update”, the Presidency says it stands by what the Military said earlier on – that there was no such thing as an aborted Coup.

Sunday Dare, a Presidential Spokesperson, in a chat with TVC insisted: “We are going to stick with the Military’s narrative that there was no coup  attempt in Nigeria.”