By Charles Pemu 
ABUJA — The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), has ordered a rigorous multi-agency review of the recently announced presidential pardon list, a move that could see more than half of the initial 175 nominees struck off.
Involved in the extensive vetting are Nigeria’s foremost security, anti-graft, and law enforcement bodies, including the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), and the police.
The review was prompted by internal controversy and opposition from security agencies over the inclusion of certain high-profile offenders. Officials alleged that some low-level committee members had “smuggled in” names that did not meet the established clemency criteria.
“Some low-level officers at the level of the committee smuggled in some names,” an official from one of the security agencies disclosed. “The President is unaware of some of the names on that list… The good thing is that they are still in custody; they have not been released.”
Multiple top Federal Government sources confirmed that the list has been circulated to all relevant agencies for comprehensive background and integrity checks, a process deliberately designed to prevent a recurrence of past controversies surrounding questionable pardons.
A senior official in the Presidency revealed that the outcome of the reviews is expected to be drastic. “From what I’ve seen, more than half of the names are likely to be dropped once the agencies complete their findings,” the source said, adding that the government is determined to prevent anyone with unresolved corruption or fresh criminal cases from benefitting.
The Attorney-General’s Special Assistant on Communication and Publicity, Kamorudeen Ogundele, confirmed the development, stating, “The ministry is working with relevant agencies to ensure that the process meets all legal and ethical standards.” This follows the AGF’s earlier clarification that the prerogative of mercy announced at the Council of State meeting on October 9 was still under review and not yet finalized.
The list initially included various categories of convicts, such as Maj Gen Mamman Vatsa, Prof Magaji Garba, and the posthumous pardon of Ken Saro-Wiwa and the Ogoni Eight. Names like Maryam Sanda, convicted of stabbing her husband to death, and Kelvin Prosper Oniarah, convicted of large-scale kidnapping, are reportedly among those whose inclusion necessitates close scrutiny.
The final, vetted list is being awaited by President Bola Tinubu for his final endorsement, with the government determined to ensure that only transparent and deserving cases receive the presidential nod.