WorldStage– Following continued criticism by some Nigerians of the recent pardons granted some beneficiaries by President Bola Tinubu, the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), has ordered the pardon list be reviewed to address the backlash.
Fagbemi, according to his statement on the issue, gave the order on Wednesday, October 22, 2025 to verify the eligibility of the beneficiaries.
The investigation was initiated following public outcry and concerns over some controversial names on the list, including individuals convicted of drug-related and corruption offences.
On October 9, 2025, the Council of State had approved the presidential pardon for 175 individuals, following recommendations presented by the AGF, Lateef Fagbemi.
The pardon and clemency covered both living and deceased individuals of 175 beneficiaries includeding full pardon for 82 inmates; reduction of sentences for 65 others; and
commutation of seven death sentences to life imprisonment.
The release of the list prompted public criticism, particularly regarding the inclusion of several high-profile individuals convicted of corruption and drug-related offenses.
Some critics highlighted what they saw as a selective application of mercy that favored elites.
A Nigerian lawyer, Victor Nwadike, has filed a lawsuit in the Federal High Court in Abuja to challenge the presidential pardon, naming President Tinubu and the AGF as defendants.
Following the backlash, the AGF issued a statement on October 16, 2025, clarifying that the approved list was still undergoing a “final administrative stage” and that no inmate approved for clemency had yet been released.
The AGF indicated that the review was a “standard protocol” to ensure all names and recommendations fully complied with established legal and procedural requirements.
This was presented as a commitment to transparency and due diligence and on October 22, 2025, it was disclosed that the AGF ordered a full multi-agency probe of the list.
The investigation is being conducted in collaboration with law enforcement agencies, including the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
The probe could lead to more than half of the names being dropped from the final list, with the government determined to ensure that only deserving cases are cleared.
Reacting to the development, civil society groups like the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) have been vocal in their criticism of the pardon process, arguing that past pardons for corrupt individuals undermined the fight against corruption and violated constitutional standards.
The prompt review by the AGF may be a response to such pressures, however, some legal analysts have questioned the AGF’s authority to review a pardon list after it has been approved by the Council of State.
Others see the move as a crucial exercise in due diligence to safeguard the integrity of the process.
While the AGF’s office has appreciated public feedback, critics view the multi-agency probe as “damage control” by the government following the public and media uproar.
