The family of the late Bilyaminu Ahmed Bello has expressed disappointment over the presidential pardon granted to Maryam Sanda, who was convicted and sentenced to death for the murder of her husband.

In a statement released on Monday, signed by Dr. Bello Haliru Mohammed (Dangaladiman Gwandu) on behalf of the family, the relatives of the deceased described President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s decision to grant Sanda clemency as a “cruel reopening of healing wounds” and a grave injustice to the memory of their loved one.

Bilyaminu’s family said they are deeply hurt by Maryam’s release, describing it as an attempt to appease her family while disregarding the lasting anguish inflicted on the victim’s relatives, friends, and associates.

Sanda, 37, was among 175 convicted persons granted presidential pardon and clemency last Thursday under the Prerogative of Mercy powers.

The list, released by Presidential Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, included individuals serving sentences for various crimes — from illegal mining and drug offences to capital offences such as murder.

On the list are illegal miners, white-collar convicts, drug offenders, foreigners, Major General Mamman Vatsa, Major Akubo, Professor Magaji Garba, as well as capital offenders such as Maryam Sanda, Ken Saro Wiwa, and the other Ogoni eight.

The move followed the Council of State’s endorsement of recommendations by the Presidential Advisory Committee on the Prerogative of Mercy, chaired by the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN).

Onanuga said the pardons were based on reports indicating that the convicts had shown remorse and good conduct.

The presidential pardon has sparked public outrage and renewed debate about the fairness and moral implications of Nigeria’s Prerogative of Mercy process.

Maryam Sanda’s conviction for the culpable homicide of her husband, whom she stabbed to death during a domestic dispute in their Abuja home, remains one of Nigeria’s most high-profile cases of domestic violence and spousal murder.

Sanda was arraigned before an FCT High Court, where she maintained her innocence throughout the trial.

After a protracted legal battle that drew nationwide attention, Justice Yusuf Halilu, in January 2020, found her guilty of killing her husband and sentenced her to death by hanging. She had spent six years and eight months at the Suleja Medium Security Custodial Centre.

‘Her release, worst injustice for any family’

Bilyaminu’s family said Sanda’s release represents “the worst possible injustice any family could be made to go through for a loved one,” describing her as a “certified convicted murderer” who had shown no remorse throughout her trial and appeals.

Out of respect for the two innocent children left behind, Bilyaminu’s family said they had chosen silence since the tragic incident of November 19, 2017, despite several false narratives allegedly sponsored by Sanda’s camp.

They stated that they had placed their faith in the judicial system, which upheld the FCT High Court’s death sentence through rulings by the Court of Appeal in December 2020 and the Supreme Court in October 2023.

The family noted that those judgments offered a measure of closure, even though Sanda never showed remorse.

However, they said the recent presidential pardon has painfully reopened old wounds, describing Sanda’s release as a grave injustice that makes the victim’s life seem insignificant.

The family also faulted the rationale behind the pardon, allegedly influenced by appeals from Sanda’s family, stressing that Bilyaminu was equally a beloved son, friend, and associate who was “grievously denied the opportunity to live and raise his children.”

They said they sought solace in divine justice, expressing faith that “ultimate justice resides with the Supreme Judge and Creator,” and prayed for the repose of Bilyaminu’s soul and strength for his children and loved ones to bear the pain of his loss.

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