- Onoh condemned the presidential pardon granted to capital offenders like Maryam Sanda.
- He argued that freeing drug convicts such as Nweke Francis Chibueze and Isaac Justina sends a dangerous signal.
- The former lawmaker warned that the pardon for convicts demoralises law enforcement officers.
- Onoh appealed to President Tinubu to reverse the clemency, insisting that doing so would restore public confidence.
President Bola Tinubu’s spokesman in the South East, Josef Onoh, has openly criticised the presidential pardon granted to 175 individuals, including capital offenders and drug convicts, describing the decision as “morally wrong” and a major setback for justice in Nigeria.
Last week, President Tinubu approved a list of beneficiaries recommended by the Presidential Advisory Committee on the Prerogative of Mercy. Among those pardoned was Maryam Sanda, who was sentenced to death in 2020 for killing her husband, Bilyaminu Bello, during a domestic dispute. Also on the list were convicted drug offenders such as Nweke Francis Chibueze, jailed for cocaine trafficking, and Isaac Justina, whose sentence for cannabis possession was reduced.
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Onoh expressed concern that the action contradicts the principles of justice and fairness enshrined in the Nigerian Constitution. He warned that granting clemency to such offenders could damage the nation’s image and demoralise institutions fighting crime.
“This decision, though constitutional, violates moral standards of justice and equity. It hurts victims’ families, weakens deterrence, and undermines the very foundation of the rule of law,” Onoh said.
He further argued that pardoning high-profile convicts like Maryam Sanda devalues human life and sends the wrong message to society. According to him, freeing drug traffickers who have destroyed lives and communities shows “a moral collapse that normalises criminality.”
Onoh noted that Nigeria’s reputation as Africa’s largest democracy could suffer, as the decision might portray the country as tolerant of impunity. He said such actions could discourage foreign investors and raise questions about the government’s seriousness in tackling crime and corruption.
He added that the move also dampens the morale of law enforcement agencies such as the NDLEA and the police, who risk their lives to bring offenders to justice. “It disrespects the efforts of officers who worked tirelessly for those convictions,” he said.
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Onoh appealed directly to President Tinubu to reconsider the pardon for convicts and order a transparent review of the cases. “Reversing these pardons will not only restore faith in justice but also prove that this administration stands for fairness and accountability,” he stated.
He concluded that reversing the clemency would send a powerful message that Nigeria remains committed to justice, discipline, and global credibility.
