There were indications on Thursday that some names on the presidential pardon list approved by the Council of State, as presented by the Attorney-General of the Federation, Prince Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), may be dropped.

The development comes amid growing public outcry over the inclusion of certain high-profile and violent offenders among those pardoned by President Bola Tinubu.

The presidential pardon, usually granted to mark national occasions, was also meant to decongest prisons and promote reconciliation.

The presidential statement noted that the decision followed recommendations by the Presidential Advisory Committee on the Prerogative of Mercy, chaired by the Attorney-General.

It added that the list of beneficiaries was divided into six categories: Those granted pardon, posthumous pardon (including the Ogoni Nine), victims of the Ogoni Nine honoured, presidential clemency (clemency beneficiaries), inmates recommended for reduced terms of imprisonment, and inmates on death row whose sentences were commuted to life imprisonment.

However, the latest episode has reignited debate over the transparency and integrity of Nigeria’s pardon process.

On Thursday, Fagbemi (SAN), however, clarified that the Presidential Prerogative of Mercy recently announced by the President was still under review and had not been finalised.

Controversy has continued to trail the inclusion of some names, with anti-graft and security agencies, including the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, reportedly moving to halt the release of some individuals on the list.

Fagbemi, at the Council of State meeting convened on October 9, 2025, had listed illegal miners, white-collar convicts, drug offenders, foreigners, Maj Gen Mamman Vatsa, Prof Magaji Garba, Ken Saro-Wiwa and the Ogoni Eight, as well as capital offenders such as Maryam Sanda, among the 175 convicts and former convicts who received presidential pardon.

The full list was released in a statement from the Presidency on Saturday, October 11, 2025.

While some names of Politically-Exposed Persons on the list, like Herbert Macaulay, Farouk Lawan, among others, did not raise dust, the inclusion of certain individuals linked to violent crimes and security breaches sparked outrage.

One of the names was Maryam Sanda, who was convicted in 2017 for stabbing her husband, Bilyaminu Bello, to death.

While some members of Bello’s family rejected the pardon for Maryam, the father, Alhaji Bello Isa, alongside Maryam’s father,  Alhaji Garba Sanda, addressed a press conference to accept the presidential pardon.

The President also pardoned Major S. Alabi Akubo, who was sentenced to life imprisonment for illegal possession of prohibited firearms, among others and one Kelvin Prosper Oniarah, whose kidnapping terror spanned Delta, Edo, Rivers, Abia, Benue, and Oyo states, with detention camps in Warri and Kokori (Delta), Ugbokolo (Benue), Benin City (Edo), and Aba (Abia).

The names of those convicted for killing security agents, illicit drug couriers, and others tried for money laundering, among other offences, were queried on the list.

The uproar has reportedly prompted a review of the clemency process, with the Presidency considering dropping controversial names that generated public criticisms.

Security agencies kick

A presidential aide with knowledge of the matter, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to comment on the matter, said the EFCC, Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, NDLEA and lead security agencies had raised strong objections to the list, insisting that some of the names were “smuggled in” and not part of those recommended by the presidential committee that screened applicants for clemency.

He said anti-graft agencies warned that releasing some of the convicts could undermine the ongoing fight against corruption and organised crime.

He said a top security source disclosed that some of the proposed beneficiaries “can never be released,” particularly those convicted of killing security operatives or engaging in kidnapping and other capital offences.

“The list was too wide, and some of the names did not pass the necessary security vetting.

“The EFCC, NDLEA, and other security agencies have insisted that the list must be pruned down. Not all the names came from the committee that reviewed the cases,” the presidential aide said.

Officials also familiar with the matter said the final list would likely exclude those whose release could pose security risks or undermine confidence in the justice system.

“The list will be trimmed to reflect only those who genuinely deserve the President’s mercy. Those whose inclusion created controversy will be expunged,” a senior official, who also spoke on condition of anonymity, told The PUNCH on Thursday.

Another official in one of the security agencies said, “Some low-level officers at the level of the committee smuggled in some names. Obviously, the President is unaware of some of the names on that list.

“They have now sent the list to NDLEA and other security agencies for review. Some of the names on the list did not meet the criteria. Some low-level officers bypassed the criteria.

“In fact, some of the cases are still fresh. The good thing is that they are still in custody; they have not been released.”

An official of one of the anti-graft agencies also spoke under the condition of anonymity.

He told The PUNCH, “I am aware the ICPC and the police are not comfortable with the list because the names of some convicts who are not supposed to be on that list are there.”

When reached for comments by The PUNCH, officials of the agencies were not ready to speak on the matter officially.

List for review

On Thursday, Fagbemi (SAN) stated that the Presidential Prerogative of Mercy recently announced by the President was still under review and had not been finalised.

In a statement in Abuja, the minister clarified that no inmate approved for clemency under the recent exercise had been released from custody.

According to Fagbemi, “The process remains at the final administrative stage, which includes a standard review to ensure that all names and recommendations fully comply with established legal and procedural requirements before any instrument of release is issued.”

He further explained that after the approval by the Council of State, the next step in the process was the issuance of the formal instrument implementing the President’s decision for each beneficiary.

“This stage affords an opportunity for a final review of the list for remedial purposes, if necessary, before the instrument is forwarded to the Controller-General of Corrections for necessary action.

“This verification process is part of the standard protocol and reflects the government’s commitment to transparency and due diligence,” the AGF said.

Fagbemi appreciated the public’s vigilance and constructive feedback, describing it as a sign of Nigerians’ deep concern for justice and good governance.

“There is no delay in the process; it is simply following the law to the letter to ensure that only those duly qualified benefit from the President’s mercy. As soon as all legal and procedural checks are concluded, the public will be duly informed. The rule of law does not rush; it ensures fairness.”

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The PASGA Project is designed to provide a comprehensive workforce profile to guide future decisions on recruitment, training, deployment, and career progression within the civil service.

By identifying current and emerging skills gaps in critical areas such as ICT, project management, public finance, and data analysis, the project aims to strengthen training programmes and ensure targeted capacity development.

The initiative also seeks to enhance human resource management systems through digitalisation using the Human Resource Management Information System.

It is expected to promote efficiency, reduce financial leakages, eliminate redundancies, and enable strategic redeployment of resources across Ministries, Departments, and Agencies.

The project is being implemented by a Steering Committee chaired by the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Dr Didi Walson-Jack, and a Project Implementation Committee chaired by the Permanent Secretary, Common Services Office, Dr Danjuma Kalba.

Speaking at a sensitisation programme for the initiative on Thursday, Walson-Jack said the project marks a major milestone in the ongoing implementation of the Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plan 2021–2025, which is anchored on innovation, talent optimisation, and institutional excellence.

“Through PASGA, we are setting a new standard — one that is transparent, data-based, and performance-oriented. This reform will deliver accurate personnel records, identify existing skills gaps, and support targeted training and redeployment aligned with the evolving needs of government,” Walson-Jack said.

The Head of Service commended the Permanent Secretary, Common Services Office, and the Project Implementation Committee for their coordination and preparatory work, describing their efforts as exemplary of the teamwork and shared vision driving the ongoing transformation of the civil service.

She also urged the OHCSF Cluster Consultant, Knewrow Consulting, to approach the assignment with professionalism, integrity, and technical precision, assuring them of full management support throughout the implementation process.

Walson-Jack further called on all Permanent Secretaries, Directors, union leaders, and staff across MDAs to demonstrate ownership and full cooperation with the project, stressing that PASGA is not merely an audit, but a reform tool that will shape the future of Nigeria’s workforce.

“This exercise is a bold statement of our readiness to build a civil service that is data-driven, merit-based, and future-ready.

“Together, we can make the Nigerian civil service a model of efficiency, accountability, and innovation in public administration,” she said.

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The United States Department of Defence has revoked the access badges of Pentagon reporters from nearly all major media organisations after they refused to sign a new media policy that journalists say threatens press freedom.

The Pentagon, located in Arlington, Virginia, serves as the administrative and operational centre of the U.S. military, housing top defence officials and command structures similar to Nigeria’s Ministry of Defence.

In a statement on Wednesday, the Pentagon Press Association described the action as a “dark day for press freedom,” warning that it undermines America’s commitment to transparency, accountability, and free speech.

The association said the Defence Department confiscated badges because reporters declined to accept the new policy, which they believe implicitly threatens to criminalise national security reporting and exposes journalists to possible prosecution.

“Today, the Defense Department confiscated the badges of the Pentagon reporters from virtually every major media organisation in America.

“It did this because reporters would not sign onto a new media policy over its implicit threat of criminalising national security reporting and exposing those who sign it to potential prosecution,” the statement read.

The new rules, which took effect on October 15, require journalists covering the Pentagon to acknowledge that they could lose access if they solicit or publish unapproved information, including some unclassified materials.

The Pentagon Press Association said its members remained committed to covering the U.S. military despite the restrictions, but stressed that the decision raises serious concerns about the future of open and independent reporting on defence matters.

“The Pentagon Press Association’s members are still committed to reporting on the U.S. military.

“But make no mistake, today is a dark day for press freedom that raises concerns about a weakening U.S. commitment to transparency in governance, public accountability at the Pentagon, and free speech for all,” the statement continued.

According to Reuters, dozens of reporters from outlets including CNN, Reuters, The Washington Post, The New York Times and Fox News vacated their workspaces at the Pentagon after refusing to sign the policy.

Only One America News Network reportedly agreed to the new terms.

According to Reuters, Pentagon spokesperson, Sean Parnell, defended the policy, insisting that it was not meant to silence the press but to ensure national security.

He explained that the new rules merely require reporters to acknowledge the restrictions, not necessarily agree with them.

Speaking on the policy in June, CBS News national security correspondent David Martin, who has covered the beat for over 40 years, said during an interview on CBS News, “This, at least from my perspective, is making the Pentagon as difficult to cover as possible. And, you know, the next step is to ban reporters entirely from the Pentagon, and that’s why the reporters I’ve talked to that are still on the beat, they’re not going to try and find workarounds to this policy, because they don’t want to trigger the next sanction.”

Reuters explained that under the new arrangement, the Pentagon now has broader authority to revoke press badges, limit reporters’ movement within the building, and control how they interact with military officials.

The move by the U.S. Department of Defence draws comparisons to past incidents in Nigeria, where government officials have been accused of suppressing press freedom.

In April 2017, the Chief Security Officer to then-President Muhammadu Buhari expelled The PUNCH’s State House correspondent, Olalekan Adetayo, from the Presidential Villa in Abuja after he published a report on the president’s health.

According to reports, Adetayo was grilled, his accreditation withdrawn, and he was forcibly removed from the villa premises.

The CSO’s action was met with criticism, with the presidency’s media office later stating that it had not been consulted and reaffirming a commitment to press freedom.