President Bola Tinubu has granted clemency to Maryam Sanda, who was sentenced to death in 2020 for the killing of her husband, Bilyaminu Bello, during a domestic dispute in Abuja.
The clemency announcement was made on Saturday by the president’s special adviser on information and strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
Sanda, 37, was released after serving six years and eight months at the Suleja Medium Security Custodial Centre.
Rationale Behind the Pardon
Onanuga explained that the presidential pardon followed appeals from Sanda’s family, who argued that her freedom was in the best interest of her two young children. He further noted that the decision was influenced by her remorse and documented good conduct while in custody.
Sanda was convicted by the Federal Capital Territory High Court in January 2020 after Justice Yusuf Halilu found her guilty of stabbing her husband to death during a quarrel. Her late husband, Bilyaminu Bello, was the son of former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) national chairman, Haliru Bello.
Sanda was among 175 inmates who received a presidential pardon or sentence reduction approved by President Tinubu.
Source: ladunliadinews
