The family of Bilyaminu Bello has strongly condemned the presidential pardon granted to his wife, Maryam Sanda, who was convicted of his murder. In a statement, they called the decision a grave injustice that has reopened wounds that had barely healed.
Maryam Sanda was found guilty by the FCT High Court on 27 January 2020 for the pre‑meditated murder of her husband. The conviction was upheld by the Court of Appeal on 4 December 2020 and affirmed by the Supreme Court on 27 October 2023. The family had taken some solace in those judgments, believing they provided a measure of closure.
The recent pardon, issued under the Prerogative of Mercy, has sparked outrage. The family argues that the decision is a miscarriage of justice, especially since Sanda showed no remorse for her actions. They contend that the pardon undoes the sense of closure the court’s rulings had offered.
President Bola Tinubu’s inclusion of Sanda among the 175 inmates pardoned has been sharply criticized by the family, who say it undermines the justice system and fails to acknowledge the severity of the crime. Their statement highlighted the pain and suffering they have endured since Bilyaminu’s death and emphasized that the pardon has reopened old wounds.
The case has attracted significant public interest, raising questions about the application of the Prerogative of Mercy and its implications for the justice system. As the family comes to terms with this development, they reaffirm their commitment to seeking justice and honoring the memory of Bilyaminu Bello.
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