Connect with us

Published

on

banner

President Tinubu pardons Herbert Macaulay, Gen Mamman Vatsa, grants clemency to 82 inmates ‎

President Bola Tinubu has granted a posthumous pardon to late Maj.-Gen. Mamman Vatsa, executed for treason in 1986 under the military regime of Gen. Ibrahim Babangida.

‎This was announced in a statement issued by Presidential spokesperson, Mr Bayo Onanuga, on Thursday, following a National Council of State meeting in Abuja.

‎Vatsa, a soldier-poet, was among 17 individuals granted presidential pardons, as endorsed by the council.

‎The president also granted a posthumous pardon to Herbert Macaulay, pioneer nationalist and co-founder of the National Council of Nigeria and the Cameroons (NCNC).

‎Macaulay, NCNC’s first President, played a critical role in Nigeria’s independence movement. He was controversially convicted by British authorities in 1913.

‎Though Macaulay died in 1946, the colonial-era conviction remained on record until now.

‎Tinubu also pardoned four former convicts, including former House of Representatives member, Farouk Lawan, Mrs Anastasia Daniel Nwaobia, Hussaini Umar and Ayinla Alanamu.


‎Their pardons were granted to support their reintegration, following demonstrations of remorse and good conduct.

‎Nweke Francis Chibueze, serving a life term for cocaine trafficking, also received a pardon.

‎Dr Nwogu Peters, jailed 17 years for fraud and having served 12, was likewise pardoned.

‎The late Ogoni Nine; Ken Saro-Wiwa, Saturday Dobee, Nordu Eawo, Daniel Gbooko, Paul Levera, Felix Nuate, Baribor Bera, Barinem Kiobel, and John Kpuine were formally pardoned.

‎Tinubu further honoured the Ogoni Four; Chief Albert Badey, Chief Edward Kobani, Chief Samuel Orage, and Theophilus Orage with posthumous national awards.

‎In a sweeping exercise of constitutional powers, Tinubu granted clemency to 82 inmates and reduced sentences for 65 others.

‎Seven inmates on death row had their sentences commuted to life imprisonment.

‎The clemency decisions were based on recommendations from the Presidential Advisory Committee on the Prerogative of Mercy (PACPM).

‎PACPM comprises 12 members, chaired by Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Mr Lateef Fagbemi.

‎Other members include Chief Akinlolu Olujinmi, Prof. Alkasum Abba, Prof. Nike Sidikat Ijaiya, Justice Augustine Utsaha, and Dr. Onwusoro Maduka (Secretary).

‎Institutional members include representatives of the Police, Nigerian Correctional Service, NHRC, NSCIA, CAN, and Ministry of Special Duties.

‎The committee submitted its final report to the Council of State on Thursday, in line with constitutional procedures.

Onanuga said, ‎“A total of 175 inmates were interviewed, and 62 applications were received on behalf of 119 inmates considered by the committee, making it a total of 294.”

‎“One hundred and sixty of the inmates interviewed were male, while 15 were female.

Advertisement

“Eighty-two inmates were recommended for clemency; two for pardon; 65 for sentence reduction; and seven death sentences commuted.

‎“Fifteen ex-convicts were recommended for Presidential Pardon, 11 of whom are deceased (including the Ogoni 9). The Ogoni Four were also recommended for posthumous national honours.”

‎“On the whole, a total of one hundred and seventy-five (175) beneficiaries are recommended.”

‎The committee applied strict criteria including age (60+), terminal illness, youth (under 16), and good behaviour during incarceration.

He added, ‎“Those who have been in Custodial centres, learnt sustainable vocational trades capable of keeping them away from crime; those who are adjudged remorseful; those who Correctional Officers recommended for exemplary behaviour and Nigerian prisoners deported from other countries.”

‎Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, inaugurated the PACPM on January 15 to enhance justice, rehabilitation, and human rights in Nigeria.(NAN)

Advertisement
banner
Continue Reading
Advertisement

News

My Husband wants to have s3x with me eight times everynight – Housewife cries for help

Published

on

banner

My Husband wants to have s3x with me eight times everynight – Housewife cries for help

A Harare woman, Melocia Gwata, has successfully obtained a court-issued protection order against her husband, George Kusotera, following allegations of excessive sexual demands and physical abuse.

Advertisement

The case was heard at the Harare Civil Court before Magistrate Judith Taruvinga, where Melocia detailed the severity of her ordeal. She told the court that her husband had coerced her into sexual activity up to eight times a night, resorting to violence whenever she refused.

“He wants to have s3x every day and wakes me up in the middle of the night, even after we’ve been intimate countless times on the same day,” Melocia stated.

Advertisement

She further described how the abuse extended beyond physical coercion, with George allegedly threatening divorce and verbally assaulting her in front of their children.

“He has been assaulting me in front of our children, shouting obscenities and telling them I don’t deserve to be called their mother,” she added, highlighting the emotional toll the behaviour has taken on her and the family.

Advertisement

In response, George acknowledged his actions, apologising to his wife and attributing his conduct to love. “I did not realise I was making her uncomfortable. I apologise and promise not to physically abuse her anymore,” he told the court.

After hearing both sides, Magistrate Taruvinga granted Melocia a protection order, legally preventing her husband from further abuse and ensuring her safety.

Advertisement
banner
Continue Reading

News

Scores of terrorists neutralised after Major attacks on military base

Published

on

banner

Scores of terrorists neutralised after Major attacks on military base

Nigerian troops have successfully neutralised several terrorists and thwarted coordinated attacks in Adamawa and Borno States.

Advertisement

The Joint Task Force, Operation Hadin Kai, announced that the successes followed swift and decisive responses by soldiers to attempts by insurgents to overrun military formations in the North-East.

In a statement issued on Friday, Acting Media Information Officer of the Task Force, Lieutenant Solomon Atokolo, confirmed that the operations resulted in heavy casualties for the terrorists.

Advertisement

He explained that the first attack took place in the early hours of January 16, 2026, when insurgents targeted a patrol base at Sabon Gari in Madagali Local Government Area of Adamawa State.

Atokolo stated that troops under Sector 4 of Operation Hadin Kai quickly engaged the attackers and successfully repelled them. He added that reinforcements from Gulak and the Battalion Quick Reaction Force were promptly mobilised to support the operation, ensuring that the assault was decisively crushed.

Advertisement

“The terrorists were successfully repelled without any casualty to our troops or damage to equipment, forcing them to abandon the attack,” the statement said.

He added that security forces later carried out clearance operations in the surrounding area, scanning for improvised explosive devices and booby traps to guarantee the safety of both civilians and personnel.

Advertisement

In a separate incident on the same day, terrorists staged a large-scale, multi-directional attack on Forward Operating Base (FOB) Azir in Borno State.

The attackers attempted to breach the base’s defensive perimeter but were met with fierce resistance from troops. With support from the Air Component and other Nigerian Army aerial platforms, the soldiers unleashed sustained firepower that compelled the insurgents to retreat.

Advertisement

Although rocket-propelled grenade fire from the terrorists damaged some troop-carrying vehicles and partially affected the base’s CCTV control room, Atokolo said troops maintained full control of the situation and prevented any further breach.

The military spokesperson disclosed that several weapons and ammunition were recovered from the fleeing terrorists.

Advertisement

Items seized included a 60mm mortar tube, mortar bombs, locally fabricated explosives, heavy machine gun rounds, and hundreds of rounds of 7.62mm NATO ammunition.

The Joint Task Force commended the professionalism and resilience of the troops, reaffirming its commitment to sustaining operations aimed at restoring lasting peace and security to the North-East region.

Advertisement
banner
Continue Reading

News

Published

on

banner

Scores of terrorists neutralised after Major attacks on military base

Nigerian troops have successfully neutralised several terrorists and thwarted coordinated attacks in Adamawa and Borno States.

Advertisement

The Joint Task Force, Operation Hadin Kai, announced that the successes followed swift and decisive responses by soldiers to attempts by insurgents to overrun military formations in the North-East.

In a statement issued on Friday, Acting Media Information Officer of the Task Force, Lieutenant Solomon Atokolo, confirmed that the operations resulted in heavy casualties for the terrorists.

Advertisement

He explained that the first attack took place in the early hours of January 16, 2026, when insurgents targeted a patrol base at Sabon Gari in Madagali Local Government Area of Adamawa State.

Atokolo stated that troops under Sector 4 of Operation Hadin Kai quickly engaged the attackers and successfully repelled them. He added that reinforcements from Gulak and the Battalion Quick Reaction Force were promptly mobilised to support the operation, ensuring that the assault was decisively crushed.

Advertisement

“The terrorists were successfully repelled without any casualty to our troops or damage to equipment, forcing them to abandon the attack,” the statement said.

He added that security forces later carried out clearance operations in the surrounding area, scanning for improvised explosive devices and booby traps to guarantee the safety of both civilians and personnel.

Advertisement

In a separate incident on the same day, terrorists staged a large-scale, multi-directional attack on Forward Operating Base (FOB) Azir in Borno State.

The attackers attempted to breach the base’s defensive perimeter but were met with fierce resistance from troops. With support from the Air Component and other Nigerian Army aerial platforms, the soldiers unleashed sustained firepower that compelled the insurgents to retreat.

Advertisement

Although rocket-propelled grenade fire from the terrorists damaged some troop-carrying vehicles and partially affected the base’s CCTV control room, Atokolo said troops maintained full control of the situation and prevented any further breach.

The military spokesperson disclosed that several weapons and ammunition were recovered from the fleeing terrorists.

Advertisement

Items seized included a 60mm mortar tube, mortar bombs, locally fabricated explosives, heavy machine gun rounds, and hundreds of rounds of 7.62mm NATO ammunition.

The Joint Task Force commended the professionalism and resilience of the troops, reaffirming its commitment to sustaining operations aimed at restoring lasting peace and security to the North-East region.

Advertisement
banner
Continue Reading

Trending

© 2025, All Rights Reserved | Crime Channels