President says review followed public backlash and Council of State consultations; move aims to balance justice with compassion…..
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reversed the presidential pardon earlier granted to Maryam Sanda, who was convicted of killing her husband, Bilyaminu Bello, in Abuja in 2020.
According to an official gazette released on Wednesday by Bayo Onanuga, the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Sanda’s death sentence has now been commuted to 12 years in prison.
The document explained that the review was made “on compassionate grounds, in the best interest of her children,” noting her good conduct, remorse, and model behavior during incarceration.
Background and Earlier Pardon
Sanda, now 37 years old, has already spent six years and eight months at the Suleja Medium Security Custodial Centre. She was sentenced to death by hanging in January 2020 after being found guilty of killing her husband, the son of former PDP chairman Haliru Bello.
Earlier this month, the Presidency announced that Sanda was among 175 convicts granted clemency by President Tinubu, based on recommendations from the Presidential Advisory Committee on the Prerogative of Mercy chaired by Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN).
The pardon sparked widespread backlash from Nigerians, opposition figures, and human rights groups, many of whom questioned the inclusion of individuals convicted of serious crimes, including murder and drug trafficking.
Official Gazette Confirms Reduction, Not Release
The newly released gazette titled “Reduced Terms” clarified that Sanda’s case had undergone a due process review and that her earlier full pardon was revoked. Instead, she will now serve 12 years in total, meaning she has roughly six more years to complete her sentence.
“Maryam Sanda, whose offence was culpable homicide and who was sentenced on January 27, 2020, to death by hanging, has served six years and eight months at the Medium Security Custodial Centre, Suleja. She will now serve 12 years based on compassionate grounds, in the best interest of her children, and for demonstrating remorse and good conduct,” the gazette stated.
The revised list also included other inmates Harunah Isah (35), Mamman Ibrahim (50), Sanusi Adamu (28), Sadi Musa (20), Sabiyu Aliyu, Halliru Sani (18) and 79 others who benefited from similar sentence reviews.
FG Clarifies Process After Public Outcry
In a statement accompanying the gazette, Attorney-General Lateef Fagbemi said the initial list of pardoned inmates had been reviewed after consultations with the Council of State and following concerns about some recommendations.
“During this final review, a few persons earlier recommended were found not to have met the necessary requirements and were accordingly delisted, while in other cases, sentences were reviewed and reduced to reflect fairness, justice, and the spirit of the exercise,” Fagbemi said.
He stressed that the review was carried out to ensure that the President’s prerogative of mercy aligns with due process, justice reform, and humane correctional practices in line with international standards.
Fagbemi also announced that the Secretariat of the Presidential Advisory Committee on Prerogative of Mercy would now operate under the Federal Ministry of Justice instead of the Ministry of Special Duties, to strengthen oversight and compliance.
“Henceforth, only persons who fully meet stipulated legal and procedural requirements will benefit from the issuance of instruments of release,” he added.
Wider Reaction and Political Context
President Tinubu’s initial decision to pardon Sanda and others among them Major General Mamman Vatsa, Ken Saro-Wiwa, and members of the Ogoni Nine drew mixed reactions across the country.
While some viewed the move as an act of reconciliation and compassion, critics, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, slammed it as a dangerous affront to justice.
Atiku said the pardon “erodes the moral authority of leadership and emboldens lawlessness,” particularly because it included individuals convicted of drug-related and violent crimes.
Responding to the controversy, the AGF clarified that no inmate had been released yet, as the process was still undergoing final administrative and legal review.
Balancing Justice and Compassion
The Presidency maintained that the review reflects Tinubu’s commitment to a fair and credible justice system. Officials say the decision to reduce Sanda’s sentence rather than free her outright demonstrates the President’s effort to balance justice with mercy, especially in cases involving family and child welfare considerations.
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