Nigerians have taken to social media platform X (formerly Twitter) to express mixed reactions following reports that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has granted a presidential pardon to Maryam Sanda — the woman convicted for killing her husband, Bilyaminu Bello, in 2017.
Maryam Sanda, who was sentenced to death by hanging, had spent nearly seven years behind bars before being included in a new wave of presidential clemency approved by President Tinubu. The decision, which has sparked outrage and debate online, was announced 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 release followed recommendations from 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). The committee reportedly considered factors such as good conduct, remorse, and rehabilitation through education or vocational training before selecting beneficiaries for the pardon.
Maryam Sanda was convicted on January 27, 2020, by Justice Yusuf Halilu of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court after she was found guilty of murdering her husband, Bilyaminu Bello — the son of former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Chairman, Haliru Bello.
Reports revealed that Sanda fatally stabbed her husband three times in the back and several times in his private parts during a heated argument at their residence in Pension Estate, Pakali Close, Wuse 2, Abuja, on November 17, 2017. The tragic incident was allegedly triggered by suspicions of infidelity.
After her conviction, Sanda was sent to the Suleja Medium Security Custodial Centre, where she had reportedly maintained good behaviour, showing remorse and embracing reform programs. According to Bayo Onanuga’s statement, her family appealed for clemency, arguing that releasing her was in the best interest of her two young children.
“The plea was anchored on her good conduct in jail, her remorse, and her embracement of a new lifestyle, demonstrating her commitment to being a model prisoner,” the presidential aide said.
The statement further noted that a total of 175 inmates were granted presidential pardon based on various factors, including age, rehabilitation, remorse, and exceptional conduct while in custody. Some of the pardoned individuals were recognised for completing educational or vocational programs such as the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), while others had demonstrated efforts toward reform and reintegration into society.
Other notable beneficiaries of the presidential clemency include Major General Mamman Vatsa, Major Akubo, Professor Magaji Garba, as well as posthumous pardons for environmental activist Ken Saro-Wiwa and the Ogoni Eight. The list also included some illegal miners, remorseful drug offenders, white-collar crime convicts, and foreign nationals.
However, the inclusion of Maryam Sanda in the list has triggered widespread criticism among Nigerians, many of whom believe her crime was too severe to warrant a pardon. While some users on X argued that the decision undermines justice and sends the wrong message about accountability, others defended the president’s move as an act of mercy and rehabilitation consistent with democratic values.
As the debate continues, many Nigerians are calling for transparency in the criteria used for granting such pardons, stressing that clemency should not appear to favour individuals with political or social connections.
The case of Maryam Sanda remains one of the most controversial murder cases in Nigeria’s recent history — and now, with her unexpected release, it has once again stirred public emotion and renewed conversations justice, forgiveness, and the Nigerian correctional system.
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