President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has revoked the presidential pardon earlier granted to Maryam Sanda, who was sentenced to death in 2020 for the murder of her husband, Bilyaminu Bello. The decision comes amid widespread public backlash that followed reports of her release, prompting the Presidency to review her case.
According to a report by Very Nigerian, President Tinubu’s new directive replaces the death penalty with a 12-year prison term, effectively reversing the full pardon that had earlier stirred controversy nationwide.
Official Gazette Confirms Sentence Review
The development was confirmed in an official gazette issued by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Mr Bayo Onanuga, on Wednesday. The document clarified that the review was done “on compassionate and legal grounds,” considering the time already served and the broader context of national justice reforms.
Sources within the Presidency told Akahi News that the President’s decision aligns with his commitment to uphold justice while tempering it with mercy. However, the administration reportedly faced mounting criticism from civil society groups and victims’ rights advocates, who described the earlier pardon as a “mockery of justice.”
Six Years Already Served
According to the report, Maryam Sanda has spent six years and eight months in custody at the Suleja Medium Security Custodial Centre before the review was announced. The new sentence, effective immediately, means she is expected to complete the remainder of her term in prison unless further clemency is considered under different legal provisions.
Legal analysts told Akahi News that the move to substitute the death sentence with imprisonment could set a precedent for other high-profile cases involving capital punishment in Nigeria.
Public Reaction and Broader Implications
The revocation of Sanda’s pardon has generated mixed reactions across the country. While some Nigerians commended the President for responding to public sentiment and preserving the integrity of the judiciary, others argued that the reduction of her sentence still appeared lenient considering the gravity of the crime.
Observers also noted that the decision reflects Tinubu’s balancing act between upholding the rule of law and demonstrating compassion within the justice system — a move likely to influence ongoing debates about capital punishment and executive clemency in Nigeria.
Akahi News gathered that the Presidency plans to issue further clarifications on how future clemency requests will be evaluated to avoid similar public controversies.
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