A recent claim by former Senator Dino Melaye has triggered widespread controversy following President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s approval of clemency for 175 convicted individuals.
Melaye alleged that 70 drug lords were among the beneficiaries, describing the action as “unprecedented in world history” and a blow to Nigeria’s fight against narcotics.
In a statement posted on his verified social media account, Melaye criticized the move, urging the federal government to scrap the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), claiming its years of work had been rendered meaningless.
“You can’t pardon 70 drug lords and still talk about fighting drug abuse. This has never happened anywhere in the world,” Melaye said.
Breakdown of the Clemency List
Contrary to Melaye’s assertion, a review of the official clemency list released by the Presidency reveals a more nuanced picture.
A total of 175 individuals received presidential mercy under various categories — including full pardons, sentence commutations, and death sentence reductions.
* 82 inmates were granted clemency
* 65 had their sentences commuted
* 24 received reduced sentences
* 7 death sentences were commuted to life imprisonment
Of particular note, 52 individuals were convicted for drug-related offenses.
However, only 29 of these received full pardons, while others had sentences commuted or reduced, according to multiple verified breakdowns of the list.
Opposition, Civil Groups React
The clemency decision has faced criticism from opposition parties and civil society organizations.
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) accused the presidency of weakening national security and the justice system.
“You cannot be seen freeing drug traffickers while preaching the fight against substance abuse,” the party said in a statement.
Similarly, the Yoruba Union warned that releasing serious offenders sets a dangerous precedent and undermines the country’s moral and legal foundations.
Government Defends Decision
The Tinubu administration, through the Ministry of Justice, defended the process, stating that the clemency was guided by recommendations from the Presidential Advisory Committee on Prerogative of Mercy.
The committee, officials say, considered factors such as age, health, length of incarceration, evidence of rehabilitation, and humanitarian grounds.
A statement from the Presidency emphasized that the act of mercy was not a blanket pardon but a constitutional exercise aimed at correcting judicial imbalances and promoting restorative justice.
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“Each case was reviewed individually. The beneficiaries are not just random convicts, but individuals deemed fit for clemency based on legal and humanitarian criteria,” said a senior official who requested anonymity.
NDLEA Yet to Respond
As of the time of filing this report, the NDLEA has not officially responded to Melaye’s call for its dissolution or commented on the inclusion of drug convicts in the clemency list.
The agency has recently increased its anti-drug campaigns and high-profile arrests, leading many to question whether the presidential decision undermines its efforts.
