Nigerians React as President Tinubu Pardons Maryam Sanda, Convicted for K!lling Husband
Nigerians have criticized President Bola Tinubu’s decision to pardon Maryam Sanda, who was sentenced to de@th for k!lling her husband in Abuja.
Presidential aide Bayo Onanuga confirmed the pardon in a statement released by the Presidency.
SEE ALSO: Presidency Publishes Full List of Nigerians Granted Presidential Pardon
Many Nigerians have taken to social media to express outrage and disbelief after it was confirmed that President Bola Tinubu granted a presidential pardon to Maryam Sanda, who was convicted for k!lling her husband, Bilyaminu Bello, in 2017.
Bello, the son of former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Chairman, Haliru Bello, was m3rdered at the couple’s residence in Wuse 2, Abuja, on November 17, 2017. Reports at the time indicated that Sanda stabbed him multiple times, including in his back and private parts, during a domestic dispute allegedly triggered by infidelity accusations.
Justice Yusuf Halilu of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court had sentenced Sanda to de@th by hanging on January 27, 2020. After spending about six years and eight months at the Suleja Medium Security Custodial Centre, she has now been granted clemency by the President.
The development was confirmed in a statement issued on Saturday, October 11, by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
According to the statement, Sanda’s family appealed for her release, citing her remorse, good behavior in prison, and the welfare of her two young children. The statement noted that her pardon was approved following the recommendation of the Presidential Advisory Committee on the Prerogative of Mercy, chaired by Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi (SAN).
“The decision was based on considerations such as genuine remorse, proven rehabilitation, and positive conduct in custody,” Onanuga explained. He added that the process took into account recommendations for inmates who had shown moral reform, participated in educational or vocational training, or met conditions such as old age or health challenges.
Sanda was among 175 convicts and former convicts granted clemency, including some illegal miners, drug offenders, and white-collar crime convicts. Others listed were the late Major General Mamman Vatsa, Major Akubo, Professor Magaji Garba, and the late Ken Saro-Wiwa alongside the Ogoni Eight.
The news of Sanda’s pardon has since generated widespread reactions on social media platform X, with many Nigerians questioning the fairness of the decision and its implications for justice in the country.
