President Bola Tinubu has reversed the presidential pardon earlier granted to Maryam Sanda, who was sentenced to death in 2020 for killing her husband, Bilyaminu Bello. Instead of the pardon, Tinubu has now approved a reduced sentence of 12 years imprisonment, citing compassionate grounds, conduct in custody, and the welfare of her children.
The revised decision was contained in an official gazette released on Wednesday by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
Sanda, now 37, was convicted by the Federal Capital Territory High Court for the murder of Bello, the son of a former PDP Chairman, Haliru Bello. She was sentenced to death by hanging in January 2020, a judgment that drew national attention and polarized public opinion.
According to the gazette, Sanda has already served six years and eight months at the Suleja Medium Security Custodial Centre. With the new directive, she will complete an additional six years, subject to good behaviour.
The gazette states:
“Maryam Sanda, whose offence was culpable homicide and sentenced on 27/01/2020 to death by hanging, has served six years and eight months at the Medium Security Custodial Centre, Suleja. She will now serve 12 years based on compassionate grounds, in the best interest of the children and in consideration of good conduct and remorsefulness.”
Sanda appeared on a list of beneficiaries under the category of reduced terms, which was prepared under the powers granted to the President by Section 175 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended). The list also includes Harunah Isah (35), Mamman Ibrahim (50), Sanusi Adamu (28), Sadi Musa (20), Sabiyu Aliyu, Halliru Sani (18), and 79 others.
However, the move to grant clemency, which was earlier made public as part of a broader pardon initiative involving 175 persons—including notable figures such as Ken Saro-Wiwa and Major General Mamman Vatsa—triggered widespread outrage. Critics argued that granting mercy in a high-profile homicide case involving domestic violence sent the wrong message.
Opposition parties, civil society groups, and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar strongly condemned the pardon, describing it as “a betrayal of justice and a setback for Nigeria’s anti-violence and anti-drug campaigns.”
Following the backlash, Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), said the President ordered a comprehensive review of the initial pardon recommendations.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, Fagbemi explained that the review was carried out after the President received concerns from stakeholders and members of the Council of State.
“During this final review, few persons earlier recommended were found not to have met the necessary requirements and were accordingly delisted, while in some other cases, sentences were reviewed and reduced to reflect fairness, justice, and the spirit of the exercise,” the statement said.
Fagbemi added that the President intends to ensure transparency and safeguard public confidence in future clemency exercises. As a result, he directed that the Secretariat of the Presidential Advisory Committee on Prerogative of Mercy be moved from the Ministry of Special Duties to the Federal Ministry of Justice.
The Attorney General will also issue new guidelines that require mandatory consultation with relevant prosecuting institutions before any pardon is approved.
“This measure ensures that only persons who fully meet the stipulated legal and procedural requirements will henceforth benefit from the prerogative of mercy,” Fagbemi said.
The case of Maryam Sanda remains one of the most controversial legal and emotional criminal justice matters in recent Nigerian history. Her reduced sentence appears to be a middle-ground decision intended to balance justice, public sentiment, and the welfare of the children left without both parents.
