The family of the late Bilyaminu Ahmed Bello has expressed deep shock and anguish over the presidential pardon granted to his convicted wife, Maryam Sanda, who was sentenced to death for his murder in 2020.
In a strongly worded statement signed by Dr. Bello Haliru Mohammed (OFR), Dangaladiman Gwandu, on behalf of the family, they described the decision as “the worst possible injustice any family could be made to go through for a loved one.”
The statement follows President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s recent approval of presidential clemency for 175 convicted persons, including some on death row and others pardoned posthumously, under the Prerogative of Mercy policy.
Among the beneficiaries, the inclusion of Maryam Sanda—convicted by the FCT High Court on January 27, 2020, for the premeditated murder of her husband—has reignited grief and outrage within the Bello family.
“His Excellency, Mr. President, in the exercise of his discretionary power to grant clemency, has allowed Maryam Sanda to walk the face of the earth again, free from any blemish for her heinous crime, as though she had merely squashed an ant,” the family said.
The family lamented that Sanda’s release undermines years of faith in the judicial process, which saw the conviction upheld by both the Court of Appeal in December 2020 and the Supreme Court in October 2023.
They noted that the decision had brought some closure, but the pardon has “reopened old wounds” and appeared to be a move to appease her family rather than serve justice.
The statement also highlighted the irony that Sanda, who once denied her children the affection of their late father, is now using them as grounds for public sympathy.
“We interpret this as an act driven by the sole motivation of appeasing Maryam’s family, while ignoring the pain inflicted on Bilyaminu’s grieving family, friends, and associates,” the statement read.
Describing the development as a moral and emotional setback, the family reaffirmed its faith in divine justice:
“We take solace in the fact that the ultimate justice lies with the Supreme Judge—our Creator—who will dispense judgment on the Day of Recompense, where no one can intercede on behalf of another.”
The family concluded by praying for the repose of Bilyaminu’s soul and for divine protection over his children.
“May Almighty Allah grant the soul of our dear Bilyaminu eternal rest, and raise his children to be good, obedient Muslims and patriotic Nigerians,” the statement said.