President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has revoked the presidential pardon earlier granted to Maryam Sanda, who was convicted of murdering her husband, Bilyaminu Bello, in Abuja. Instead, her death sentence has been commuted to 12 years imprisonment.
According to an official gazette released by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, on Wednesday, the decision was made “based on compassionate grounds, in the best interest of the children,” citing Sanda’s good conduct, remorse, and transformation into a “model prisoner.”
Sanda has already served six years and eight months at the Suleja Medium Security Custodial Centre. Her family had previously appealed for her release, arguing it was in the best interest of her two children.
The original pardon, announced on October 11, 2025, was made on the recommendation of the Presidential Advisory Committee on the Prerogative of Mercy, chaired by the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Olasunkanmi Fagbemi (SAN).
However, the new gazette clarified that Sanda was not among those whose death sentences were commuted to life imprisonment. Those listed include Emmanuel Baba, Abubakar Usman, Khalifa Umar, and Mohammed Umar.
Tinubu’s initial pardon list of 175 convicts sparked controversy, with critics arguing that some beneficiaries were convicted of grave crimes such as drug trafficking. Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar condemned the decision, saying it “erodes the moral authority of leadership and emboldens lawlessness.”
Meanwhile, the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation stated that no inmate granted clemency under the President’s prerogative of mercy has yet been released, as the process remains under final administrative review.
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What You Should Know
Maryam Sanda was sentenced to death in 2020 after being found guilty of killing her husband, Bilyaminu Bello, the son of a former PDP chairman.
Her case drew nationwide attention as one of Nigeria’s most publicized domestic violence trials. With the new decision, she will serve 12 years in prison rather than face execution.
