In a dramatic turn of events, President Bola Tinubu has rescinded the presidential pardon earlier granted to Maryam Sanda — who was sentenced to death in 2020 for the killing of her husband, Bilyaminu Bello — following widespread public backlash.
An official gazette released on Wednesday by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, confirmed the development.
According to the document, the President approved a commutation of Sanda’s death sentence to
12 years’ imprisonment, citing compassionate grounds. The gazette noted that Sanda had already served six years and eight months at the Suleja Medium Security Custodial Centre before the decision was made.The move comes after intense criticism from civil rights groups and members of the public, who questioned the initial pardon’s fairness and implications for justice.
Observers say the President’s reversal reflects an attempt to balance justice with mercy, while reaffirming the government’s sensitivity to public sentiment.
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