“Presidential Buyer’s Remorse: Can a Nigerian President Unpardon the Pardoned?” Lawson Akhigbe

Nigeria is a land where anything can happen — and usually does. So, it’s fair to ask: can a Nigerian president wake up one bright Lagos morning, look at a headline about a man he pardoned last week, and say, “Wait, why did I free that guy?”

Let’s take a legal stroll through Aso Rock’s corridors of mercy — and mischief.

When Mercy Meets Constitution

Under Section 175 of the 1999 Constitution, the President, armed with the Prerogative of Mercy, can:

Pardon a convict, Reduce a sentence, or Forgive forfeited property — after a quick chat with the Council of State, that elderly gathering of ex-presidents and other veterans of political survival.

So yes, the President can play God — legally.

But What If He Changes His Mind?

Here’s where it gets juicy.

Once a pardon is formally granted, communicated, or gazetted, it becomes lawfully final. The lucky recipient is legally reborn — squeaky clean, as if the offence never existed.

It’s the ultimate Nigerian washing machine: Crime In → Presidential Signature → Stainless Record Out.

At that point, even the President can’t grab the detergent back. The law says, “Oga, you’ve spoken. Sit down.”

When Mercy Is Still in Draft Form

However, if the President’s mercy is still “in transit” — maybe approved “in principle,” not yet signed, or still stuck in bureaucratic traffic — he can still withdraw it.

Think of it like an unsent WhatsApp message. Until you hit send, you can delete it.

But once the prison gate swings open and the inmate waves from his Uber — it’s too late.

Why Revoking a Pardon Would Be Political Suicide

Imagine the optics:

President grants clemency on Monday, then revokes it by Thursday after social media erupts with “Why free him?” hashtags.

That’s not law — that’s confusion in agbada.

Besides, Nigeria’s Constitution doesn’t allow “Presidential Buyer’s Remorse.” Once mercy is granted, the deed is done.

The President cannot say, “Return my mercy!”

The only thing worse than a bad pardon is trying to undo it — it would collapse under judicial laughter.

Final Word

So, can a Nigerian president revoke a pardon?

✅ Before it’s formalised, yes.

❌ After it’s official, never.

In short, the moment mercy is signed, sealed, and delivered — it’s out of presidential reach.

Nigeria’s leaders may reverse budgets, appointments, and even elections — but not mercy already served.