A legal expert, Frank Tietie, has stated that once a president gives a pardon, it cannot be withdrawn. He made this remark during an interview on Arise Television, which was monitored by DAILY POST. According to him, the law does not allow a president to reverse a pardon after it has already been granted.

Tietie was reacting to President Bola Tinubu’s recent decision to cancel pardons earlier granted to some convicted individuals. The issue has sparked national debate, especially in legal and human rights circles. He explained that the power of pardon is final and absolute once exercised.

This conversation followed President Tinubu’s decision to commute the death sentence of Maryam Sanda to 12 years imprisonment. Sanda was convicted for the murder of her husband in a high-profile case. The reduction of her sentence brought renewed attention to presidential clemency powers in Nigeria.

Tietie argued that if the president could reverse a pardon, then he could also undo other major decisions, including economic reforms. He gave an example by saying a truly “listening president” could have reversed fuel subsidy removal and tariff increases if reversals were normal. His comments highlighted broader concerns about governance and public policy choices.

The lawyer’s statement has added fuel to the ongoing conversation about constitutional powers, justice, and political accountability. Many Nigerians are now debating whether the law should ever allow a president to take back a mercy decision once declared.