Tinubu Revokes Maryam Sanda’s Presidential Pardon, Reduces Sentence to 12 Years
President Bola Tinubu has revoked the presidential pardon earlier granted to Maryam Sanda, who was sentenced to death in 2020 for killing her husband, Bilyaminu Bello. The decision follows widespread backlash that trailed the initial clemency granted to her and several others.
According to an official gazette released on Wednesday by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, Sanda’s death sentence has now been commuted to 12 years imprisonment. The document explained that Sanda, who has already spent six years and eight months at the Suleja Medium Security Custodial Centre, will serve approximately six more years to complete her term. The reduction, the gazette noted, was granted on compassionate grounds, in recognition of her good conduct, remorse, and in the best interest of her two children.
The gazette, titled “Reduced Terms”, further stated that the President’s decision was made pursuant to Section 175 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which empowers him to exercise the prerogative of mercy. Other beneficiaries listed alongside Sanda include Harunah Isah, Mamman Ibrahim, Sanusi Adamu, Sadi Musa, Sabiyu Aliyu, Halliru Sani, and 79 others who were considered after a comprehensive review process.
Confirming the development, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), said the President ordered a review of the initial pardon list following consultations with the Council of State. He explained that concerns were raised regarding some names recommended for clemency, prompting a reassessment to ensure only those who met the required legal and procedural standards were approved.
Fagbemi added that during the review, some individuals were delisted, while others had their sentences reduced to reflect fairness, justice, and the reformative intent of the exercise. He emphasized that the process underscores the President’s commitment to balancing justice with compassion, ensuring that punishment serves not only as deterrence but also as a path to rehabilitation and redemption.
As part of broader reforms to strengthen transparency in the exercise of mercy, President Tinubu directed the immediate relocation of the Secretariat of the Presidential Advisory Committee on Prerogative of Mercy from the Ministry of Special Duties to the Ministry of Justice. He also instructed the Attorney General to issue new operational guidelines mandating compulsory consultation with relevant prosecuting agencies before any future exercise of presidential clemency.
Tinubu’s earlier decision to pardon Sanda and others had generated widespread criticism from opposition figures, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and the African Democratic Congress. They described the move as a grave setback to justice and a blow to Nigeria’s anti-drug campaign, arguing that granting clemency to convicted criminals undermined the rule of law and public trust in the justice system.