President Tinubu has pardoned death row inmate Maryam Sanda, citing remorse, good conduct, and family appeals.
President Bola Tinubu has granted clemency to Maryam Sanda, who was sentenced to death in 2020 for killing her husband, Bilyaminu Bello, during a domestic dispute. The announcement was made on Saturday by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
Ms Sanda, 37, spent six years and eight months at the Suleja Medium Security Custodial Centre before her release. According to Mr Onanuga, the decision followed pleas from her family, who argued it was in the best interest of her two children. He added that the pardon was based on her good conduct and “remorse and embrace of a new lifestyle.”
The Federal Capital Territory High Court had found her guilty of stabbing Mr Bello, son of former PDP chairman Haliru Bello, ruling that the prosecution proved its case beyond reasonable doubt. She is among 175 convicts pardoned or granted sentence reductions by President Tinubu.