By: Manoah Kikekon
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| Maryam Sanda and Bilyaminu Bello |
In a dramatic reversal, President Bola Tinubu has revoked the controversial presidential pardon granted to Maryam Sanda, convicting her to a new 12-year jail term for the culpable homicide of her husband, Bilyaminu Bello. The decision comes days after the initial clemency sparked widespread public outcry and accusations of injustice.
The reversal was formally announced in an official government gazette released on Wednesday by the President's Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
According to the new gazette, Sanda, who was originally sentenced to death by hanging in January 2020, has now had her sentence commuted to 12 years on "compassionate grounds." Having already served six years and eight months at the Suleja Medium Security Custodial Centre, she is expected to spend approximately six more years in jail.
The document justified the revised term, citing "the best interest of the children," Sanda's good conduct as a "model prisoner," her remorsefulness, and that she has "embraced a new lifestyle."
Corroborating the gazette, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), issued a press statement confirming the review. Fagbemi explained that following consultations with the Council of State, President Tinubu received significant concerns about the initial list of pardon beneficiaries and initiated a "due process review."
"This exercise was to ensure that only persons who met stipulated legal and procedural requirements would benefit from the prerogative of mercy," Fagbemi stated. He added that the review led to some individuals being delisted and others, like Sanda, having their sentences reduced to "reflect fairness, justice, and the spirit of the exercise."
In a move to prevent future controversies, President Tinubu has ordered a significant overhaul of the pardon process. The Secretariat of the Presidential Advisory Committee on Prerogative of Mercy has been immediately relocated from the Federal Ministry of Special Duties to the Federal Ministry of Justice.
Furthermore, the President has directed the Attorney General to issue new guidelines that mandate "compulsory consultation with relevant prosecuting agencies" before any pardons are granted.
The PUNCH had previously reported that Sanda's initial pardon was influenced by her family's plea for her release for the sake of her two children. That pardon was part of a larger clemency granted to 175 individuals.
However, the decision was met with fierce backlash from opposition parties and political figures, including the African Democratic Congress and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar. Critics condemned the move as a "grave setback" to Nigeria's fight against crime and a "dangerous affront to justice and morality," particularly due to the inclusion of individuals convicted for drug trafficking. This public pressure appears to have been a key factor in prompting the President's swift review and reversal.