Nigeria News Bulletin

15/10/2025

Raila Odinga’s family informs President Ruto that according to his will, he insisted that he must be buried 72 hours after his death and his wishes must be respected

15/10/2025

We have received the news of the passing of Rt. Hon. Raila Odinga with great sadness. He stood tall for freedom, liberty, and dignity. In him, we have lost a great statesman - an African giant, who did his best for humanity amidst great adversity. Deepest condolences to the great people of Kenya and all pro-democracy forces around the world. May his soul rest in peace.

14/10/2025

WHAT I REPLIED THE GOVERNOR FOR SAYING BOKO HARAM HAS PLANNED TO KIILLL ME IN MAIDUGURI

— Rev Dr Uma Ukpai

While preaching to the congregation, the founder and General Overseer of the Uma Ukpai Evangelistic Association, Reverend Uma Ukpai, has revealed what he replied to a former Governor of Borno State, Ali Modu Sheriff for telling him that the Boko Haram has planned to kiilll him in Maiduguri.

He replied to the Governor that he will continue with the Journey and if God says Maiduguri would be the last place he will visit in Nigeria, so be it. According to him, the Governor was amazed to hear that and asked why he was ready to die.

Read what Pastor Uma Ukapi said below:

"We were on our way to Maiduguri when the Governor called and said, 'don't come, Boko Haram boys have planned to kiilll you. I asked him, 'your excellency, if God wants me to die in Maiduguri, why do you want to postpone it?'. We will be coming; if God says it's my final place in Nigeria, so be it. The Governor, Ali Modu Sheriff, asked me, 'why would you be ready to die? over what?'. He then assigned 30 mobile policemen to us".

Like & Follow us for more edifying and inspirational posts The Urim & The Thummim

14/10/2025

13/10/2025

Thanks for being a top engager and making it on to my weekly engagement list! 🎉 Mike John, Muyideen Wale, Abdulhakim Minister Abdulrazak, Ogbaji Raphael, Agunbiade Kayode, Ibrahim Salisu Shamaki

13/10/2025

Rest on Great soldier

13/10/2025

THE GHOST OF FORGERY: HOW TINUBU’S TRUTH WAS BURIED SINCE 1999

Aare Amerijoye Dotb

On the 29th of September, 1999, Chief Olisa Agbakoba, SAN, delivered what history should remember as one of the fiercest rebukes ever hurled at the Nigerian press. Standing tall in the Lagos State House of Assembly, he did not whisper, he roared, scathingly criticising the media for their shameful neglect of the grave issue of Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s certificate forgery.

Yes, you read that correctly; this forgery scandal did not begin yesterday; it has been festering like an unhealed wound since 1999!

The shocking revelation was published in PM News, under the supervision of none other than Bayo Onanuga, the same man who today serves as Tinubu’s chief propagandist, dancing gleefully around the corridors of power he once interrogated. Irony has rarely been this cruel; the watchdog of yesterday has become the lapdog of today.

Chief Agbakoba, then President of the Civil Liberties Organisation, was invited by the Lagos Assembly to advise the investigative panel probing Tinubu’s perjury and forgery allegations. But what he witnessed disgusted him, a press that had lost its moral compass, and a legislature afraid to stare truth in the eye.

In his thunderous address, Agbakoba declared that even the press had failed to do its duty. He said the media had not done a good job, and it was important for them to return to the duty of making things clear. He added that everyone knew there was something to be said or done about forged certificates, but the whole thing was so jumbled.

Those words were not mere criticism; they were an indictment, a direct condemnation of a media establishment that had already begun to bend its spine before the altar of political convenience. Agbakoba’s statement exposed a dangerous decay: the Nigerian press, instead of defending truth, had begun to nurse the disease of selective blindness.

He further compared the Tinubu forgery scandal with those of Salisu Buhari, the former Speaker of the House of Representatives, and Evan Enwerem, the former President of the Senate. Both men were, at that time, engulfed in certificate and identity controversies that shook the nation’s moral foundation. Agbakoba asserted that even the poorly handled Buhari investigation looked like a masterclass in accountability compared to the sham unfolding in Lagos. His conclusion was haunting; the best investigation, he said, was in the case of Buhari, and what Buhari’s case had done was to set a standard that the nation could not deviate from.

Yet, the nation did deviate, shamefully, spectacularly, and irreversibly.

Adding his voice to the matter, Professor Itse Sagay, a respected legal luminary, also cautioned the Lagos Assembly. He warned that ignoring Tinubu’s forgery would endanger democracy itself. He stressed that no issue of public interest should be allowed to continue without a proper investigation and report which the nation would consider a proper treatment of the problem.

Those were not idle musings; they were prophetic warnings, warnings that Nigeria, in her moral slumber, refused to heed. Today, the prophecy has come to pass.

Twenty-six years later, the same Bola Tinubu stands as President, while the same forgery allegation, embalmed by cowardice, still trails him like a ghost that refuses to die. The same journalists who once wielded pens as swords now use them as sponges, to clean up the stains of political deceit. The same public intellectuals who once thundered for justice now mumble platitudes in defence of fraud.

How did a nation so full of intellect descend into such moral bankruptcy? How did the guardians of truth become the architects of deception?

Let us be clear: no democracy survives on lies. The foundations of a republic cannot be cemented with forgery. A leader whose legitimacy rests on falsified documents cannot inspire integrity, and a nation that celebrates deceit has already auctioned its conscience.

If we genuinely yearn for a better Nigeria, the one thing we must hold in the highest esteem is the unvarnished truth, even when it shakes the throne. We must never bow to these former giants, now clouded by the dementia of moral decay, who have traded conscience for crumbs from power’s banquet.

Chief Agbakoba’s voice from 1999 should still ring in our ears like thunder: the press failed then, and it continues to fail now. The silence that greeted Tinubu’s forgery case was not ignorance; it was complicity. It was a betrayal wrapped in ink and paper, sold under the guise of journalism.

Let history record this, not as another political commentary, but as a warning to a generation lulled into submission by propaganda. When truth becomes a crime, and forgery becomes a qualification, democracy becomes a co**se dressed in borrowed robes.

Those who now chant “Renewed Hope” must understand this; you cannot renew what was never true.

The ghost of 1999 is awake, and it will continue to haunt every false narrative until Nigeria faces her truth without fear.

Aare Amerijoye DOT.B
Director General, The Narrative Force

12/10/2025

PRESIDENT TINUBU EULOGISES SON, SEYI , AS HE CLOCKS 40

My Dear Son,

Today, as you turn forty, I thank Almighty God for your life and the man you have become. You have walked your path with focus, courage, and humility, and you have done so with a heart that seeks to build, serve, and uplift others.

From an early age, you have shown determination and a desire to create and lead. I have watched you turn ideas into institutions and challenges into opportunities. In business and in service, you have shown that true success is not measured by wealth or power but by the impact we make and the lives we touch.

Forty is a special age. It bridges youthful drive and the more profound wisdom that life brings. You have carried your name with honour and have remained faithful to the values of discipline, integrity, and hard work.

Our entire family is proud of you. We are proud of the family you are building with Layal, your devotion as a husband and father, and your commitment to making a difference in your generation.

As you celebrate this milestone, remember that your strength lies in what you achieve and how you inspire others to believe in themselves. May God bless you with wisdom, good health, and peace.

Happy 40th Birthday, my son. You have made us proud, and I know you will continue to make Nigeria proud.

Your Dad,
Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR
President and Commander-in-Chief of the Federal Republic of Nigeria
A*o Villa,
Abuja

12/10/2025

Breaking News: Nnamdi Kanu’s son has shocked the world by becoming the first child ever to win English, Mathematics, and Russian Language in an international world brain competition.

The 11-year-old prodigy outshined the United Kingdom in their very own language, emerging as the champion. He went further to defeat some of the world’s strongest young minds, proving his brilliance on the global stage.

This historic victory has not only placed him in the spotlight but also written his name in the record books as one of the most gifted children of his generation.

11/10/2025

STATEHOUSE PRESS RELEASE

Details of The Presidential Pardon and Clemency

Illegal miners, white-collar convicts, remorseful drug offenders, foreigners, Major General Mamman Vatsa, Major Akubo, Professor Magaji Garba, capital offenders such as Maryam Sanda, Ken Saro Wiwa, and the other Ogoni Eight were among the 175 convicts and former convicts who received President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s mercy on Thursday.

President Tinubu granted clemency to most of them based on the reports that the convicts had shown remorse and good conduct. He forgave some due to old age, the acquisition of new vocational skills, or enrolment in the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN). President Tinubu also corrected the historic injustice committed by British colonialists against Sir Herbert Macaulay, one of Nigeria's foremost nationalists.

In all, the Presidential Advisory Committee on the Prerogative of Mercy, chaired by the Attorney-General and Justice Minister, Prince Lateef Olasunkanmi Fagbemi, recommended pardon for two inmates, 15 former convicts, 11 of whom have died. The committee recommended clemency for 82 inmates and commutation of sentences for 65 inmates. Seven inmates on death row also benefited from the Presidential reprieve. The committee recommended that the President should commute their death sentences to life imprisonment.

Prince Fagbemi presented the committee's report at the Council of State meeting, chaired by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

FULL LIST OF BENEFICIARIES OF PRESIDENT TINUBU’S MERCY

PARDONED
1. Nweke Francis Chibueze, aged 44, serving a life sentence at Kirikiri for co***ne.

2. Dr Nwogu Peters, aged 67; Serving a 17-year jail term for fraud. Sentenced in 2013.

3. Mrs Anastasia Daniel Nwaoba, aged 63. Already served a sentence for fraud

4. Barr. Hussaini Alhaji Umar, aged 58. Sentenced in 2023 to pay a fine of N150M in the ICPC case

5. Ayinla Saadu Alanamu, age 63, was sentenced to seven years for bribery in 2019 and has served the sentence.

6. Hon. Farouk M. Lawan, aged 62. Sentenced to five years in 2021 for Corrupt Practices and had served the sentence.

POSTHUMOUS PARDON

7. Sir Herbert Macaulay was banned from public office for misappropriation of funds and sentenced in 1913 by the British colonialists.

8. Major-General Mamman Jiya Vatsa, age 46, Sentenced in 1986 for treason: related to an alleged coup plot

POSTHUMOUS PARDON: THE OGONI NINE

9. Ken Saro Wiwa. Sentenced for murder

10. Saturday Dobee. Sentenced for murder

11. Nordu Eawa. Sentenced for murder

12. Daniel Gbooko. Sentenced for murder

13. Paul Levera. Sentenced for murder

14. Felix Nuate. Sentenced for murder

15. Baribor Bera. Sentenced for murder

16. Barinem Kiobel. Sentenced for murder

17. John Kpuine. Sentenced for murder

VICTIMS OF OGONI NINE HONOURED:

Chief Albert Badey

Chief Edward Kobaru
Chief Samuel Orage
Chief Theophilus Orage

PRESIDENTIAL CLEMENCY
Most of the beneficiaries showed either remorse or learned vocational skills in jail
1. Aluagwu Lawrence, aged 47, sentenced for Indian h**p (selling), 2015
2. Ben Friday, aged 60, was sentenced to 3 years or N1.3 million fine for ma*****na in 2023.
3. Oroke Micheal Chibueze, aged 21, sentenced to 5 years (cannabis sativa) in 2023
4. Kelvin Christopher Smith, aged 42, was sentenced to 4 years for importing co***ne in 2023
5. Azubuike Jeremiah Emeka, aged 31, sentenced in 2021 to 5 years or N3 million fine for importing co***ne.
6. Akinrinnade Akinwande Adebiyi, aged 47, sentenced in 2023 to 3 years for dealing in Tramadol.
7. Ahmed Adeyemo, aged 38, sentenced to 15 years for cannabis. Already served nine years, 5 months at Kirikiri
8. Adeniyi Jimoh, aged 31years, sentenced to 15 years for Drugs in 2015 and served nine years at Kirikiri.
9. Seun Omirinde, aged 39, sentenced to 15 years for Drugs in 2015. Served nine years at Kirikiri
10. Adesanya Olufemi Paul, aged 61, sentenced to 14 years for theft. Had served eight years.
11. Ife Yusuf, aged 37, was sentenced for human trafficking in 2019. Had served six years at Kirikiri.
12. Daniel Bodunwa, aged 43, was sentenced in 2018 to 10 years for fraudulent intent to forge a land receipt. Had served six years in jail
13. Fidelis Michael, aged 40, sentenced to 5 years for cannabis sativa
14. Suru Akande, aged 52, sentenced to 5 years for cannabis sativa
15. Safiyanu Umar, aged 56, sentenced to 5 years without the option of a fine for possessing 5kg of Cannabis sativa, 2023
16. Dahiru Abdullahi, aged 46, was sentenced in 2016 to 21 years for possession of 3 pistols and had spent 10 years in jail.
17. Hamza Abubakar, aged 37, sentenced to 5 years for Indian h**p (selling), 2022
18. Rabiu Alhassan Dawaki, aged 52, sentenced in 2020 to 7 years for criminal breach of trust.
19. Mujibu Muhammad, aged 30, sentenced in 2022 to 5 years, no option for a fine for cannabis.
20. Emmanuel Eze, aged 49, sentenced in 2022 to 5 years for He**ine.
21. Bala Azika Yahaya, aged 70, sentenced in 2017 to 15 years for cannabis.
22. Lina Kusum Wilson, aged 34, sentenced to death in 2017 for culpable homicide, had spent eight years in jail.
23. Buhari Sani, aged 33, sentenced in 2022 to 5 years for possession of 558 grams of cannabis.
24. Mohammed Musa, aged 27, was sentenced in 2022 to 5 years for possession of 16 grams of cannabis.
25. Muharazu Abubakar, aged 37, sentenced in 2022 to 5 years for selling Indian h**p. Already spent 3 years in Katsina Prison

26. Ibrahim Yusuf, aged 34; jailed 5 years in 2022 for possession of 5.7 grams of Indian h**p.

27. Saad Ahmed Madaki, aged 72; sentenced in 2020 for a 419 offence. Had served 4 years in Kaduna prison
28. Ex-Corporal Michael Bawa, aged 72: sentenced to life imprisonment for murder in 2005. Had spent 20 years in Kaduna prison
29. Richard Ayuba, aged 38. Sentenced to 5 years in 2022 for Indian h**p
30. Adam Abubakar, aged 30 and sentenced in 2022 to five years for possession of 2kg of tramadol.
31. Emmanuel Yusuf, aged 34; sentenced in 2022 to 4 years for possession of 2kg of tramadol
32. Edwin Nnazor, aged 60; sentenced in 2018 to 15 years for cannabis. Had spent 6 years, nine months at Zamfara prison
33. Chinedu Stanley, aged 34. Sentenced in 2023 to three years for fake lubricant oil.
34. Joseph Nwanoka, aged 42: sentenced in 2022 to five years for drugs

35. Johnny Ntheru, Aged 63, sentenced in 1989 to life imprisonment for robbery. Had spent 36 years in Umuahia Prison
36. John Omotiye, Aged 28, sentenced to six years for Pipeline vandalism

37. Nsikat Edet Harry, Aged 37, sentenced in 2023 to 5 years for Illegal possession of Indian h**p, Co***ne, & He**in.
38. Jonathan Asuquo, Aged 28, sentenced in 2022 to 5 years for possession of Indian h**p & other drugs
39. Prince Samuel Peters, aged 54, sentenced in 2020 to 7 years for obtaining money by false pretence. Had spent 4 years, 3 months in Ikot Ekpene Prison
40. Babangida Saliu, Aged 35, sentenced in 2024 to 3 years for unlawful mining.
41. Adamu Sanni, aged 39, sentenced in 2024 to 3 years for unlawful mining.
42. Abdulkarem Salisu, aged 30, sentenced to 3 years for unlawful mining.
43. Abdulaziz Lawal, aged 18, sentenced to 3 years for unlawful mining.
44. Abdulrahman Babangida, aged 20, sentenced to 3 years for unlawful mining
45. Maharazu Alidu, aged 22, sentenced to 3 years for unlawful mining.
46. Zaharadeen Baliue, aged 38, sentenced to 3 years for unlawful mining.
47. Babangida Usman, aged 30, sentenced to 3 years for unlawful mining.
48. Zayyanu Abdullahi, Aged 28, sentenced to 3 years for unlawful mining, 2024
49. Bashir Garuba, Aged 20, sentenced in 2024 to 3 years for unlawful mining
50. Imam Suleman, aged 25, sentenced to 3 years for unlawful mining, 2024
51. Abbeh Amisu, Aged 28, sentenced to 3 years for unlawful mining, 2024
52. Lawani Lurwanu, Aged 20, sentenced to 3 years for unlawful mining, 2024
53. Yusuf Alhassan, aged 33, was sentenced to 3 years for unlawful mining in 2024.
54. Abdulahi Isah, aged 25, sentenced to 3 years for unlawful mining, 2024
55. Zayanu Bello, aged 35, sentenced to 3 years for unlawful mining
56. Habeeb Suleman, aged 22, sentenced in 2024 to 3 years for unlawful mining.
57. Jubrin Sahabi, aged 23, was sentenced to 3 years in 2024 for unlawful mining.
58. Shefiu Umar, aged 28, was sentenced to 3 years in 2024 for unlawful mining.
59. Seidu Abubakar, age 29, sentenced in 2024 to 3 years for unlawful mining.
60. Haruna Abubakar, Aged 24, was sentenced to 3 years in 2024 for unlawful mining
61. Rabiu Seidu, aged 26, sentenced in 2024 to 3 years for unlawful mining.
62. Macha Kuru, Aged 25, sentenced in 2024 to 3 years for unlawful mining
63. Zahradeen Aminu, Aged 25 years, sentenced to 3 years for unlawful mining.
64. Nazipi Musa, aged 25. Sentenced to 3 years for unlawful mining in 2024
65. Abdullahi Musa, aged 30 and sentenced to 3 years in 2024 for unlawful mining.
66. Habibu Safiu, aged 20 and sentenced to 3 years in 2024 for unlawful mining
67. Husseni Sani, aged 21 and sentenced to 3 years in 2024 for unlawful mining
68. Musa Lawali, aged 25 and sentenced to 3 years in 2024 for unlawful mining
69. Suleiman Lawal, aged 23 and sentenced to 3 years in 2024 for unlawful mining
70. Yusuf Iliyasu, aged 21 and sentenced to 3 years in 2024 for unlawful mining
71. Sebiyu Aliyu, aged 20 and sentenced to 3 years in 2024 for unlawful mining
72. Halliru Sani, aged 18 and sentenced to 3 years in 2024 for unlawful mining
73. Sh*ttu Aliyu, aged 30 and sentenced to 3 years in 2024 for unlawful mining
74. Sanusi Aminu, aged 27 and sentenced to 3 years in 2024 for unlawful mining
75. Isiaka Adamu, aged 40 and sentenced to 3 years in 2024 for unlawful mining
76. Mamman Ibrahim, aged 50 and sentenced to 3 years in 2024 for unlawful mining
77. Shuaibu Abdullahi, aged 35 and sentenced to 3 years in 2024 for unlawful mining
78. Sanusi Adamu, aged 28 and sentenced to 3 years in 2024 for unlawful mining
79. Sadi Musa, aged 20 and sentenced to 3 years in 2024 for unlawful mining
80. Haruna Isah, aged 35 and sentenced to 3 years in 2024 for unlawful mining
NB: Senator Ikra Aliyu Bilbis signed an undertaking to be responsible for the rehabilitation and empowerment of all the convicted illegal miners granted presidential clemency.

81. Abiodun Elemero, aged 43. Sentenced to life imprisonment for co***ne hawking in 2014. Had spent 10 years plus in Kirikiri,
82. Maryam Sanda, aged 37, was sentenced to death in 2020 for culpable homicide and had spent six years, eight months at Suleja Medium Security Custodial Centre. Her family pleaded for her release, arguing that it was in the best interest of her two children. The plea was also anchored on her good conduct in jail, her remorse, and her embracement of a new lifestyle, demonstrating her commitment to being a model prisoner.

LIST OF INMATES RECOMMENDED FOR REDUCED TERM OF IMPRISONMENT
1. Yusuf Owolabi, aged 36. Sentenced to life in 2015 for Manslaughter. Had spent 10 years at Kirikiri.Prison term reduced to 12 years for showing remorse and learning vocational skills.

2. Ifeanyi Eze, aged 33. Sentenced to life in 2021 for Manslaughter and had spent four years at Kirikiri. Prison term reduced to 12 years for showing remorse and learning vocational skills.

3. Malam Ibrahim Sulaiman, aged 59. Sentenced to life in 2022 for Armed robbery & possession of illegal fi****ms. Sentence cut to 10 years based on good conduct

4. Shettima Maaji Arfo, aged 54. Sentenced in 2021 to seven years for Corrupt Practices. Sentence reduced to four years, because of good conduct and ill-health

5. Ajasper Benzeger, aged 69 and sentenced in 2015 to 20 years for Culpable homicide. Sentence reduced to 12 years, based on old age and ill-health.

6. Ifenna Kennechukwu, aged 42. Sentenced in 2015 to 20 years for drugs (co***ne import) and had spent close to 10 years in Kirikiri. Prison term reduced to 12 years based on remorse and the acquisition of vocational skills.

7. Mgbeike Matthew, aged 45. Sentenced to 20 years in 2013 for the import of 3.10kg. Following remorsefulness and the acquisition of vocational skills at Kirikiri. Sentence reduced to 12 years.

8. Patrick Mensah, aged 40. Sentenced in 2015 to 17 years for drugs. Sentence reduced to 11 years

9. Obi Edwin Chukwu, aged 43 and sentenced in 2017 to 15 years for drugs. Sentence reduced to 10 years.

10. Tunde Balogun, aged 32 and sentenced in 2015 to 15 years for drugs. Sentence reduced to 10 years.

11. Lima Pereira Erick Diego, aged 27 and sentenced in 2017 to 15 years or a fine of N20million for drugs. Sentence reduced to 10 years.

12. Uchegbu Emeka Michael, aged 37. Sentenced in 2017 to 15 years or a fine of N20million for drugs. Sentence reduced to 10 years

13. Salawu Adebayo Samsudeen, aged 46 and sentenced in 2016 to 15 years for drugs. Sentence reduced to 10 years.

14. Napolo Osariemen, aged 61 and sentenced in 2022 to 15 years for 2 kilos of Indian h**p. The sentence was reduced to seven years.

15. Patricia Echoe Igninovia, aged 61 and sentenced in 2023 to seven years for trafficking in persons. Sentence reduced to five years.

16. Odeyemi Omolaram, aged 65 and sentenced in 2017 to 25 years in prison for drug. The sentence was reduced to 12 years based on the defendant's remorsefulness and advanced age.

17. Vera Daniel Ifork, aged 29 and sentenced in 2020 to 10 years for trafficking in persons. Sentence reduced to eight years.

18. Gabriel Juliet Chidimma, aged 32 and sentenced in 2022 to six years for drug (co***ne). Sentence reduced to four years.

19. Dias Santos Marcia Christiana, aged 44 and sentenced in 2017 to 15 years for import of co***ne. Sentence reduced to 10 years.

20. Alh. Ibrahim Hameed. Aged 71 and sentenced in 2023 to seven years for illegal property (obtaining property under false pretence). Sentence reduced to five years.

21. Alh. Nasiru Ogara Adinoyi, 65, was sentenced in 2023 to 14 years for obtaining property by false pretence. The sentence was reduced to seven years.

22. Chief Emeka Agbodike, aged 69, was sentenced in 2023 to seven years for obtaining property by false pretence. Sentence reduced to 3 years.

23. Isaac Justina, aged 40. Sentenced in 2022 to 10 years for cannabis sativa and had spent 3 years in the Abeokuta Custodial Centre. Sentence reduced to four years.

24. Aishat Kehinde, aged 38 and sentenced in 2022 to five years for unlawful possession of cannabis. The prison term being served in Abeokuta has been reduced to four years.

25. Helen Solomon, age 68. Sentenced in 2024 to five years for cannabis sativa. Sentence reduced to three years.

26. Okoye Tochukwu, aged 43 and sentenced in 2024 to six years for cannabis sativa. Sentence reduced to 3 years.

27. Ugwueze Paul, aged 38 and sentenced in 2024 to six years for cannabis sativa. Sentence reduced to three years.

28. Mutsapha Ahmed, aged 46 and sentenced in 2022 to seven years without a fine option for criminal breach of trust. The sentence was reduced to five years.

29. Abubakar Mamman, aged 38 and sentenced in 2020 to 10 years in Kebbi Custodial Centre for Possession of fi****ms. Sentence reduced to seven years.

30. Muhammed Bello Musa, aged 35. Sentenced in 2020 to 10 years in Kebbi Custodial Centre for illegal possession of fi****ms. Sentence reduced to seven years

31. Nnamdi Anene, aged 67 and sentenced in 2010 to life imprisonment at Katsina Custodial Centre for illegal dealing of arms. Sentence reduced to 20 years.

32. Alh. Abubakar Tanko, aged 61, was sentenced in 2018 to 30 years at the Gusau Custodial Centre for Culpable Homicide. Sentence reduced to 20 years.

33. Chisom Francis Wisdom, aged 30; sentenced in 2018 to 20 years in Umuahia Custodial Centre for kidnapping. Sentence reduced to 12 years.
34. Innocent Brown Idiong, aged 60, sentenced in 2020 to 10 years for possession of 700 grams of Indian H**p. Has already spent 4 years and 3 months at Ikot Abasi Custodial centre. Jail term reduced to six years.
35. Iniobong Imaeyen Ntukidem, aged 46, was sentenced 2021 to seven years in jail at the Uyo Custodial Centre. Prison term reduced to five years.
36. Ada Audu, aged 72, was sentenced in 2022 to seven years in Kuje Custodial Centre and had spent 2 years and 7 months in prison. Prison term reduced to 4 years because of old age.

37. Bukar Adamu, aged 40 and sentenced to 20 years in 2019 for advance fee fraud. Prison term reduced to nine years.
38. Kelvin Oniarah Ezigbe, 44, was sentenced in October 2023 to 20 years for kidnapping, which took effect in 2013. The sentence was reduced to 13 years for showing remorsefulness and attending the National Open University.
39. Frank Azuekor, aged 42. Sentenced in 2023 for kidnapping and jailed in Kuje Custodial Centre for 20 years, and had spent 12 years behind bars from 2013. The sentence was reduced to 13 years, based on good conduct and attendance at the National Open University.

40. Chukwukelu Sunday Calisthus, aged 47 and sentenced in 2014 to life at Kuje Custodial Centre for drugs. He had spent 11 years at Kuje. Sentence reduced to 13 years.

41. Professor Magaji Garba, aged 67. Sentenced in 2021 to seven years for obtaining money by false pretence and had spent 3 years at Kuje Custodial Centre. The prison term was reduced to four years due to good conduct and advanced age.

42. Markus Yusuf, aged 41. Sentenced in 2023 to 13 years for culpable homicide. Sentence reduced to 5 years based on ill-health

43. Samson Ajayi, aged 31 and sentenced in 2022 to 15 years for drugs. He had spent five years at Suleja Custodial Centre. The sentence was reduced to seven years.

44. Iyabo Binyoyo, aged 49. Sentenced in 2017 to 10 years for drugs and sentenced to nine years at Suleja Custodial Centre, due to good conduct.

45. Oladele Felix, 49, was sentenced in 2022 to five years without a fine option for conspiracy and exploitation. Based on good conduct and remorsefulness, the sentence was reduced to four years. Felix is spending the term at Suleja.

46. Rakiya Beida, aged 33 and sentenced in 2021to seven years, without a fine option, for theft and cheating. The sentence, being served at Suleja, was reduced to three years based on good conduct

47. Nriagu Augustine Ifeanyi, aged 44 and sentenced in 2018 to 10 years in Ikoyi Custodial Centre, for exporting co***ne. The sentence was reduced to eight years.

48. Chukwudi Destiny, aged 36 and sentenced in 2022 to six years in Ikoyi Custodial Centre for he**in import. The sentence was cut to four years.

49. Felix Rotimi Esemokhai, aged 47 and sentenced in 2022 to five years for he**in. The sentence was reduced to four years.

50. Major S.A. Akubo, aged 62, was sentenced in 2009 to life at Katsina Custodial Centre for illegally removing 7,000 assorted weapons. Following good conduct and remorsefulness, the sentence was commuted to 20 years.

51. John Ibiam, aged 39, was sentenced in 2016 to 15 years for manslaughter and served 9 years and one month in the Afikpo Custodial Centre. The sentence was reduced to 10 years after the individual showed remorse and acquired vocational skills.

52. Omoka Aja, aged 40 and sentenced in 2016 to 15 years for manslaughter, served 9 years and 1 month in Afikpo Custodial Centre. The sentence was commuted to 10 years.

53. Chief Jonathan Alatoru, aged 66, was sentenced in 2021 to seven years for conspiracy to cheat. The sentence served in Port Harcourt Custodial Centre has been reduced to five years.

54. Umanah Ekaette Umanah, aged 70 and sentenced in 2022 to 10 years in Port Harcourt Custodial Centre for forgery. Sentence reduced to five years due to old age and remorsefulness.

55. Utom Obong Thomson Udoaka, 60, was sentenced in 2020 to seven years in Ikot Ekpene Custodial Centre for obtaining money by false pretence. He had served four years and two months at Ikot Ekpene. Due to his old age and good conduct, the Initial Sentence has been reduced to five years.

56. Jude Saka Ebaragha, aged 44. Sentenced in 2020 to 12 years at Ikoyi Prison and a fine of N1million for conspiracy to hijack a fishing vessel. The sentence was commuted to six years, and the N1m fine was waived.

57. Frank Insort Abaka, 46, was sentenced in 2020 to 12 years and a N1M fine at Ikoyi Custodial Centre for conspiracy to hijack a Fishing vessel. The sentence was reduced to six years, and the fine was waived.

58. Shina Alolo, 42, was sentenced in 2020 to 12 years and a N1M fine at Ikoyi Custodial Centre for conspiracy to hijack a fishing vessel. Like others, the N1m fine was waived, and the sentence was reduced to 6 years.

59. Joshua Iwiki, aged 50: Sentenced in 2020 to 12 years at Ikoyi Prison and a fine of N1M for conspiracy to hijack a fishing vessel. A N1m fine was waived, and the sentence was commuted to six years in prison.

60. David Akinseye, aged 44: Sentenced in 2020 to 12 years & N1M fine for conspiracy to hijack a fishing vessel. His sentence was commuted to 6 years, and the fine was waived.

61. Ahmed Toyin, aged 46: Sentenced in 2020 to 12 years & N1M fine for conspiracy to hijack a fishing vessel. Sentence also commuted and fine waived.

62. Shobajo Saheed, age 57: Sentenced in 2020 to 12 years and a fine of N1M for conspiracy to hijack a fishing vessel. He got a similar reprieve like the others.

63. Adamole Philip, aged 52 years: Sentenced to 12 years & a N1M fine for conspiracy to hijack a fishing vessel, 2020. Philip also got his term reduced to seven years and the fine waived.

64. Mathew Masi, aged 39: Also sentenced to 12 years and a fine of N1million for conspiracy to hijack a fishing vessel. The sentence was reduced to six years, and the fine was waived.

65. Bright Agbedeyi, 46, was also sentenced in 2020 for conspiracy to hijack a fishing vessel. Like the others in his category, he got a reprieve from President Tinubu.


List of Inmates on Death Row Reduced to Life Imprisonment

1. Emmanuel Baba, aged 38: sentenced to death in 2017 for culpable homicide. On death row in Kuje Custodial Centre for the past 8 years. The sentence was commuted to life imprisonment based on good conduct and remorsefulness.

2. Emmanuel Gladstone, aged 45, was sentenced in 2020 to death for murder and had spent five years at Katsina Custodial Centre. Death sentence commuted to life imprisonment due to good conduct and remorse.

3. Moses Ayodele Olurunfemi, aged 51: sentenced to death in 2012 for culpable homicide and had spent 13 years on death row in Katsina. President Tinubu commuted the death sentence to life imprisonment, citing the individual's good conduct and remorse.

4. Abubakar Usman, aged 59: Sentenced to Death in 2014 and had spent 14 years on death row in Katsina. His sentence was commuted to life because of his remorse and good conduct.

5. Khalifa Umar, aged 37: Sentenced to death in 2014 and had spent 11 years on death row in Kano Custodial Centre. His sentence has been commuted to life imprisonment.

6. Benjamin Ekeze, age 40. Sentenced to death in 2017 for armed robbery and conspiracy, and had spent 12 years on death row at Kirikiri, Lagos. The sentence was also commuted to life.

7. Mohammed Umar, 43: Sentenced to death in 2018 for culpable homicide and had spent seven years on death row in Onitsha Custodial Centre. He got the Presidential reprieve, commuting the death sentence to life imprisonment.

Bayo Onanuga,
Special Adviser to the President,
(Information and Strategy)
October 11, 2025