President Bola Tinubu has granted a presidential pardon to Maryam Sanda, who was convicted for the murder of her husband, Bilyaminu Bello, in Abuja.
The development was confirmed in a statement released on Saturday by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
Gossip News Now recalls that the late Bello was the son of a former National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Haliru Bello.
Sanda had been sentenced to death by hanging in January 2020 by Justice Yusuf Halilu of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court. She had spent six years and eight months at the Suleja Medium Security Custodial Centre before being granted clemency.
According to Onanuga, the pardon followed a passionate appeal from Sanda’s family, who pleaded for her release in the interest of her two children.
“Her family pleaded for her release, arguing that it was in the best interest of her two children. The plea was also anchored on her good conduct in prison, her remorse, and her adoption of a reformed lifestyle that portrays her as a model inmate,” the statement read.
The presidential aide explained that the decision was based on the recommendation of the Presidential Advisory Committee on the Prerogative of Mercy, chaired by the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Olasunkanmi Fagbemi (SAN).
The committee considered several factors, including remorse, good conduct, old age, and evidence of rehabilitation through education or vocational training. Some beneficiaries had enrolled in the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), while others had demonstrated significant behavioural reform.
Other individuals who received presidential clemency included illegal miners, white-collar offenders, reformed drug convicts, foreign nationals, as well as notable figures such as Major General Mamman Vatsa, Major Akubo, Professor Magaji Garba, and late environmental activist Ken Saro-Wiwa alongside the Ogoni Eight — among a total of 175 convicts and former convicts granted pardon.
