Tinubu Revokes Maryam Sanda’s Pardon, Reduces Death Sentence to 5-Year Jail Term

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reviewed the controversial presidential pardon earlier granted to Maryam Sanda, who was sentenced to death in 2020 for killing her husband, Bilyaminu Bello, the son of a former PDP National Chairman, Haliru Bello.

Following weeks of public outcry and condemnation from civil rights groups, women’s advocates, and legal practitioners, the presidency announced a revision of the decision. The President ordered the revocation of the full pardon and instead approved a reduced five-year jail term, citing “the need to balance justice with compassion.”

Sanda, who was convicted by an Abuja High Court for stabbing her husband to death during a domestic dispute, had initially been sentenced to death by hanging. The case drew nationwide attention, sparking debates over gender, justice, and the treatment of domestic violence in Nigerian society.

Her recent inclusion among inmates granted presidential clemency reportedly triggered outrage across the country, with many Nigerians describing the move as an “insult to the memory of the victim” and a “mockery of justice.” Human rights organizations, including the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and the Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), publicly criticized the decision, urging the President to reconsider.

In a statement released by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Chief Ajuri Ngelale, the presidency confirmed that Tinubu had reviewed the matter after “a careful reassessment of the public response and the gravity of the offence.”

“President Bola Tinubu has directed that the pardon earlier granted to Maryam Sanda be reviewed in the interest of justice and national conscience. Following consultations with the Ministry of Justice and the Nigerian Correctional Service, the sentence has now been commuted to five years’ imprisonment,” the statement read.

The move is seen as an attempt to calm rising public anger and restore confidence in the justice system. Legal analysts say the President’s action reflects a rare middle ground—showing leniency without completely undermining judicial authority.

Family members of the late Bilyaminu Bello have expressed mixed feelings about the development. While some said they “trust in divine judgment,” others described the decision as “bittersweet,” saying it does not erase the pain of losing their son but shows that “the cries of Nigerians were heard.”

Maryam Sanda, now 39, has been in custody at the Suleja Correctional Centre since her conviction. With the new directive, she is expected to serve five years, including time already spent in detention, meaning she could regain her freedom within the next two years.

As the nation debates the fairness of this new sentence, the case of Maryam Sanda continues to serve as a powerful reminder of the delicate balance between justice, mercy, and public accountability in Nigeria’s evol

ving legal landscape.