Outrage As Amnesty International, CISLAC Slam Tinubu Over Pardons For Drug Lords, Killers, Corrupt Politicians

Groups warn clemency threatens rule of law, emboldens criminals, and undermines justice system

Amnesty International Nigeria and the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) have come down hard on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration following the recent presidential pardons granted to individuals convicted of drug trafficking, murder, corruption, and other grave crimes.

The two leading human rights and anti-corruption watchdogs described the mass clemency as a “dangerous setback” for justice and accountability, warning that it risks entrenching impunity, weakening Nigeria’s anti-graft war, and shattering victims’ faith in the justice system.

President Tinubu, over the weekend, approved sweeping clemency and posthumous pardons for 175 persons, including high-profile names such as Maryam Sanda, Ken Saro-Wiwa, Sir Herbert Macaulay, Major General Mamman Vatsa, Professor Magaji Garba, and several convicts of drug offences, illegal mining, and white-collar crimes.

The Presidency defended the move, describing it as a gesture of “compassion, justice, and national healing” recommended by the Presidential Advisory Committee on the Prerogative of Mercy, chaired by the Attorney-General of the Federation, Prince Lateef Fagbemi (SAN).

But Amnesty International, in a strongly worded statement issued on Tuesday by its Director, Isa Sanusi, said the move could have grave implications for the rule of law and the fight against human rights abuses.

> “We are deeply concerned by the clemency and pardons granted by the government of President Bola Tinubu to some persons convicted of human rights crimes, as the pardons for these crimes prevent reparations for victims,” Sanusi said.

He accused the government of prioritising offenders over victims, adding that the decision undermines accountability and emboldens future violators.

> “The way and manner Nigerian authorities carried out the exercise seemed to prioritise the perpetrators instead of access to justice and effective remedies for the victims and their families,” he added.

Sanusi warned that the mass pardons could cripple Nigeria’s justice system, hinder truth and accountability, and deepen a culture of impunity.

> “The government’s action risks preventing the emergence of the truth, the determination of guilt or innocence by a court, and reparations for victims,” he stated.

Amnesty International urged President Tinubu to rescind the pardons and reaffirm his administration’s commitment to justice, accountability, and the protection of victims’ rights.

CISLAC: “Legally Questionable, Morally Wrong”

In a separate statement, the Executive Director of CISLAC and Head of Transparency International Nigeria, Comrade Auwal Ibrahim Musa (Rafsanjani), condemned the clemency exercise, describing it as “legally questionable, morally wrong, and damaging to Nigeria’s image both locally and internationally.”

CISLAC expressed concern that among the beneficiaries were controversial figures like former Delta State Governor James Ibori, convicted of corruption in the United Kingdom, as well as individuals linked to oil theft, illegal mining, kidnapping, and drug trafficking.

> “You cannot pardon someone convicted by a foreign court when Nigerian jurisdiction wasn’t involved in the conviction. That is beyond the constitutional powers of the Nigerian president,” the group asserted.

Rafsanjani warned that the move could erode international legal cooperation, especially in areas such as narcotics control, anti-corruption, and asset recovery—fields where Nigeria heavily relies on global partnerships.

> “Pardoning individuals convicted for drug trafficking, financial crimes, and other serious offences sends the wrong signal to Nigeria’s international partners and undermines the credibility of our justice system,” CISLAC stated.

The organisation also criticised the government for demoralising anti-graft and law enforcement agencies like the EFCC, ICPC, NDLEA, and Police, whose officers risked their lives to secure convictions against some of the pardoned individuals.

> “It’s a slap in the face of the justice system and those who fought to ensure accountability. How do you motivate officers to continue their work when their efforts are undone with a single signature?” CISLAC queried.

The group lamented that while powerful and wealthy offenders walk free, thousands of ordinary Nigerians remain languishing in prisons for minor or non-violent offences, some without trial for over a decade.

CISLAC called for a comprehensive review of the pardon process, urging the government to focus on inmates unjustly detained or awaiting trial rather than those convicted of serious crimes.

The organisation concluded by warning that the controversial pardons could embolden organised crime networks, frustrate ongoing anti-corruption efforts, and worsen Nigeria’s insecurity crisis if not urgently reversed.