The Lagos Division of the National Industrial Court of Nigeria has mandated the immediate restoration of 70 soldiers into the Nigerian Army. These individuals were previously found guilty by 2014 courts-martial but were subsequently granted an unconditional pardon by former President Muhammadu Buhari.
Presiding Judge S.A. Yelwa ruled on July 20, 2026, that the pardon, issued under Section 175 of the Constitution, successfully negated the legal impact of the soldiers’ prior convictions and dismissals. The court found that this constitutional mercy effectively restored their eligibility to serve.
Represented by Falana & Falana Chambers, the soldiers initiated legal action after the military failed to process their reinstatement requests following the official gazetting of their pardon in July 2022. While the Attorney-General of the Federation argued that a pardon does not mandate automatic job restoration, the court disagreed, noting that the dismissals were inseparable from the convictions that the President had legally nullified.
Regarding financial compensation, Justice Yelwa rejected the soldiers’ request for back pay dating to 2014, as they were not actively serving during their imprisonment. However, the court ordered the Chief of Army Staff to provide all salaries and allowances due from July 18, 2022, the date the presidential pardon took effect, until the soldiers are officially reinstated.
