President Bola Tinubu Grants Presidential Pardon to Herbert Macaulay and 174 Others

The Bureau News reports that the Council of State has approved the exercise of the presidential prerogative of mercy for 175 persons across various categories, including posthumous pardons for nationalist Herbert Macaulay and former FCT minister Maj-Gen. Mamman Vatsa (retd).

The decision was announced on Thursday during the Council’s meeting at the State House, Abuja, following a presentation by the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN). The recommendations were based on the report of the Advisory Committee on the Prerogative of Mercy, conveyed to the Council by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Historic Pardons for Macaulay, Vatsa, and Ogoni Activists

While the full list of beneficiaries is yet to be published, a reliable source confirmed to The Bureau News that among the recipients are Nigeria’s nationalist icon Herbert Macaulay and former military administrator Maj-Gen. Mamman Vatsa. Members of the Ogoni Nine and Ogoni Four were also reportedly included.

“Herbert Macaulay and Vatsa are among the two major ones on that list,” a source familiar with the meeting disclosed.

Profiles of the Pardoned Figures

Herbert Macaulay, widely regarded as the “father of Nigerian nationalism,” was twice convicted under British colonial rule in Lagos. In 1913, while working as a surveyor, he was sentenced for alleged misappropriation of estate funds — a case historians have long debated for its fairness. In 1928, he was again convicted of sedition following his newspaper’s involvement in the Eleko of Lagos agitation, leading to a six-month prison term with hard labour.

Maj-Gen. Mamman Vatsa, a soldier, poet, and member of the Supreme Military Council, was executed on March 5, 1986, after being convicted by a secret military tribunal for alleged coup plotting against then Head of State Ibrahim Babangida, his childhood friend. His execution remains one of Nigeria’s most debated judicial actions, with recurring calls for a posthumous pardon — now finally granted.

Breakdown of 175 Beneficiaries

According to Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State, who briefed journalists after the meeting, 82 inmates received full presidential pardons, 65 had their sentences reduced, while seven death sentences were commuted to life imprisonment.

“This decision underscores the President’s commitment to justice, rehabilitation, and correctional reform,” Governor Sani said.

The meeting, chaired by President Tinubu, also ratified key federal appointments, including Dr. Aminu Yusuf from Niger State as Chairman of the National Population Commission (NPC) and Tonge Bularafa as Federal Commissioner representing Yobe State in the Commission. Both appointments received unanimous approval.

Justice, Reconciliation, and Reform

The exercise is viewed as part of Tinubu’s broader effort to promote national healing and justice sector reform. Analysts told The Bureau News that the decision could “strengthen public trust in the rule of law and reflect a more humane approach to state correctional policy.”

Experts further note that the pardons align with Nigeria’s ongoing reform agenda — which includes addressing systemic justice delays, improving detention conditions, and promoting national reconciliation among communities affected by historical injustices.