WHO IS MARYAM SANDA?: SENTENCED TO DEATH FOR HUSBAND’S MURDER, GRANTED PRESIDENTIAL PARDON AFTER 6 YEARS
Read Time:2 Minute, 5 Second
By: Sefiu Ajape
Maryam Sanda, who was sentenced to death in 2020 for killing her husband, Bilyaminu Bello, has been granted a presidential pardon by President Bola Tinubu after spending six years and eight months at the Suleja Medium Security Custodial Centre.
In a statement on Saturday, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said, “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 jail, her remorse, and her embracement of a new lifestyle, demonstrating her commitment to being a model prisoner.”
The pardon forms part of a broader presidential clemency exercise in which Tinubu granted mercy to 175 Nigerians and foreigners, including late environmental activist Ken Saro-Wiwa, Major General Mamman Vatsa, and other members of the “Ogoni Nine.”
“This marked one of the most expansive uses of the presidential prerogative of mercy, touching on high-profile historical cases,” the statement added.
According to the presidency, the decision followed recommendations from the Presidential Advisory Committee on the Prerogative of Mercy, chaired by the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN).
Maryam Sanda’s case attracted nationwide attention when Justice Yusuf Halilu of the FCT High Court, Abuja, convicted and sentenced her to death by hanging on January 27, 2020, after finding her guilty of stabbing her husband to death at their residence.
“She should reap what she has sown, for it has been said that ‘thou shall not kill’ and whoever kills in cold blood deserves death as his own reward,” Justice Halilu declared.
Her legal team later filed a 20-ground appeal challenging the ruling, but on December 3, 2020, the Court of Appealdismissed the appeal and upheld her conviction.
“The circumstances surrounding the death can be the best proof of what is being alleged,” said Justice Stephen Adah, affirming the trial court’s decision.
The Nigeria Police Force also sought to defend the judgment at the Supreme Court, with Police Counsel James Idachaba stating, “We are satisfied with the findings of the trial and appeals court, and we are prepared to defend the law’s position at the Supreme Court.”
The presidential pardon list released on Saturday is divided into six categories — pardoned individuals, posthumous pardons (including the Ogoni Nine), victims of the Ogoni Nine honoured, clemency beneficiaries, inmates recommended for reduced terms, and inmates on death row whose sentences were commuted to life imprisonment.
Happy
0 %
Sad
0 %
Excited
0 %
Sleepy
0 %
Angry
0 %
Surprise
0 %
0
0