By Fatima Mukhtar
A presidential aide, Dr. Josef Onoh, has urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to revoke the recent pardon granted to convicted drug traffickers and capital offenders, describing the decision as “morally wrong and a rape of justice.”
Onoh, who serves as the Special Adviser to the President on Policy Communication in the South-East, made the call in reaction to the Federal Government’s recent announcement of clemency for 175 inmates, including those convicted of drug-related and capital offences.
Among the pardoned individuals are Maryam Sanda, convicted in 2020 for the murder of her husband, Bilyaminu Bello, and Nweke Francis Chibueze, who was serving a life sentence for cocaine trafficking. Also included is Isaac Justina, whose jail term for cannabis possession was reduced.
Onoh said the decision undermines justice, erodes public confidence in the rule of law, and inflicts emotional pain on victims’ families. He argued that granting clemency to such offenders sends a dangerous signal that could weaken the nation’s criminal justice system and embolden lawbreakers.
“This pardon is morally wrong and contradicts the values of justice, equity, and deterrence. It trivializes the pain of victims and normalizes predation against society’s most vulnerable members,” Onoh stated.
The presidential aide further warned that Nigeria’s global reputation could suffer if the country appears lenient toward drug-related crimes, especially given its ongoing collaboration with international agencies like the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).
While acknowledging that the President has the constitutional right to grant pardons under Section 175 of the 1999 Constitution, Onoh stressed that the act should not contravene moral and ethical standards. He appealed to President Tinubu to initiate a transparent review process to reverse the controversial pardons and restore public faith in governance.
“Reversing these pardons would heal the national conscience and reaffirm Nigeria’s commitment to justice,” he added.
The presidential pardon, announced earlier this month, has continued to spark widespread debate across the country, with many Nigerians questioning the moral and legal implications of freeing convicted criminals.
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