By Fatima Mukhtar
The family of the late Bilyaminu Bello has strongly condemned the presidential pardon granted to Maryam Sanda, describing the decision as “the worst possible injustice.”
According to Premium Times, President Bola Tinubu recently granted clemency to Maryam Sanda, who was convicted and sentenced to death in 2020 for killing her husband, Bilyaminu Bello, during a domestic dispute in Abuja.
The Presidency explained that Sanda’s release followed recommendations from the Presidential Advisory Committee on the Prerogative of Mercy, citing her “good conduct, remorse, and a changed lifestyle” during her over six years in custody.
However, members of the Bello family expressed deep disappointment, stating that the decision undermines the justice system and reopens painful wounds. In a statement attributed to the family and reported by Nairaland and Daily Trust, they said the pardon disregards the gravity of the crime and the suffering of the victim’s loved ones.
“This act of clemency is the worst possible injustice. It erases the pain of our loss and sends a dangerous signal that cold-blooded murder can be forgiven without full justice,” the family reportedly said.
The pardon has sparked widespread criticism among Nigerians. Vanguard reported that a former presidential aide, Denge Josef Onoh, urged President Tinubu to reverse the decision, arguing that it was “morally and legally wrong.” Similarly, civic groups and legal commentators questioned the fairness of extending mercy to convicts found guilty of violent crimes.
ThisDay and Sahara Reporters also noted that the outrage reflects broader concerns about the use of presidential clemency, especially for offenders convicted of murder or drug-related offences.
Maryam Sanda, the daughter of former Aso Savings boss, Maimuna Aliyu, had been found guilty of killing her husband, the son of former PDP National Chairman, Bello Haliru Mohammed, in November 2017. The court held that she fatally stabbed him after a domestic disagreement.
Although she appealed the verdict up to the Supreme Court, all her appeals were dismissed before the presidential pardon was announced.
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