A wave of public outrage has trailed the Federal Government’s decision to grant presidential pardon to two high-profile corruption convicts former lawmaker Farouk Lawan and Dr. Saadu Alanamu both previously found guilty of receiving bribes in separate corruption cases.
The decision, announced on Thursday after a meeting of the National Council of State, has sparked widespread criticism from anti-corruption advocates and citizens who view the move as a serious setback in the fight against graft in Nigeria.
Lawan, a former member of the House of Representatives and chairman of the ad-hoc committee investigating the 2012 fuel subsidy scandal, was jailed for receiving a $500,000 bribe from billionaire businessman Femi Otedola. The payment was part of the $3 million bribe Lawan reportedly demanded to remove Otedola’s companies from the list of firms indicted in the fuel subsidy fraud investigation.
Similarly, Dr. Alanamu, a former Chairman of the Governing Council of Kwara State Polytechnic, was sentenced to 12 years imprisonment after being found guilty of collecting a ₦5 million kickback from a contractor in exchange for awarding a contract at the institution.
Alanamu’s conviction, delivered by Justice Mahmud Abdulgafar, was upheld by both the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court, which dismissed his appeals as “incompetent, misconceived and lacking in merit.”
Before his conviction, Alanamu had been nominated in 2017 to serve on the board of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) but was later dropped following revelations about his involvement in corruption cases.
Critics argue that the government’s decision to pardon the two men undermines judicial integrity and sends a discouraging signal to anti-graft agencies.
“This is a slap on the face of justice and a betrayal of Nigerians’ trust,” said a senior civil society advocate who spoke to Lagos Reporters. “Granting pardon to convicted corrupt officials who went through due judicial process only weakens the fight against corruption.”
The National Council of State, which includes the President, former heads of state, and state governors, is empowered to advise on prerogatives of mercy under the Nigerian Constitution. However, many observers say the council’s decision in this case raises questions about the administration’s commitment to transparency and accountability.
As Nigerians express anger over the development, anti-corruption groups have called for a review of the pardon list and a clear explanation from the Federal Government on the rationale behind exonerating individuals found guilty of serious economic crimes.
Lagos Reporters will continue to monitor reactions and provide updates as the story unfolds.
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