Bilyaminu Bello’s Family Condemns Presidential Pardon Granted to Convicted Wife, Maryam Sanda

The family of the late Bilyaminu Bello has strongly condemned the presidential pardon granted to his wife, Maryam Sanda, describing it as “the worst possible injustice any family could endure.” Sanda, who was convicted and sentenced to death in 2020 for the murder of her husband, was among 175 inmates recently pardoned by President Bola Tinubu under the Prerogative of Mercy policy.

In a statement released on Monday, Dr. Bello Mohammed, speaking on behalf of the family, said the decision had reopened painful wounds that had barely begun to heal. “To have Maryam Sanda walk the face of the earth again, free from any blemish for her heinous crime as if she had merely squashed an ant, is the worst possible injustice any family could be made to go through” the statement read.

The family recalled that Sanda’s conviction by the FCT High Court on January 27, 2020, was upheld by the Court of Appeal on December 4, 2020, and later affirmed by the Supreme Court on October 27, 2023. According to them, the final judgment brought some measure of closure despite Sanda showing no remorse throughout the judicial process. “Satisfied that justice had finally been served, the judgment provided some closure of sorts. Although the perpetrator had shown no remorse, the grieving family took solace in the rulings and moved on, having painfully come to terms with the fate that life had thrust upon one of our own” the statement added.

The family expressed deep disappointment that, despite the gravity of the crime, the Federal Government chose to extend clemency to Sanda, allegedly following appeals from her relatives. They accused the government of undermining the judicial system and disregarding the suffering of the deceased’s loved ones. “This decision appears motivated solely by a desire to appease Maryam’s family, while it conveniently ignores the unending pain now inflicted on the victim’s family and friends” the statement continued.

The family further lamented that the decision had effectively dehumanised their son, reducing him to “a mere statistic” in the long list of crime victims. They also faulted the grounds for Sanda’s release, arguing that she had deprived her children of their father’s love and care. “Maryam had earlier denied the same children, now used to elicit sympathy and secure her release, the chance to know what a father’s love and care mean” the statement noted.

While expressing their deep hurt, the family said they take solace in divine justice, believing that ultimate judgment lies with God.

President Bola Tinubu approved the release of 175 inmates last week under the Prerogative of Mercy, which allows presidential clemency on humanitarian grounds. Sanda, convicted of killing her husband on November 19, 2017, at their Abuja home, was among those freed.