The family of the late Bilyaminu Bello has issued a strong condemnation of the presidential pardon granted to his wife, Maryam Sanda, who was convicted and sentenced to death for his murder. The family described President Bola Tinubu’s decision to include Sanda among the recently pardoned inmates as “the worst possible injustice any family could endure.”
Reopening Painful Wounds
In a statement released on Monday, Dr. Bello Mohammed, speaking on behalf of the family, asserted that the decision had reopened “painful wounds that had barely healed”.
The family highlighted the judicial process that had previously affirmed Sanda’s guilt:
- Sanda was convicted by the FCT High Court on January 27, 2020, for the premeditated and cold-blooded murder of her husband.
- The conviction was upheld by the Court of Appeal on December 4, 2020.
- The Supreme Court affirmed the conviction on October 27, 2023.
The family stated that these judgments had provided some closure, despite Sanda showing “no remorse even for a fleeting moment throughout the saga.”
“To have Maryam Sanda walk free again, untouched by the consequences of her heinous crime, is the worst possible injustice any family could be made to go through for a loved one,” the statement read.
Criticism of Government Rationale
The family criticized the Federal Government for granting clemency, which was allegedly based on appeals from Sanda’s family and her purported “remorse and good conduct.” They argued the move severely disregarded the victim’s loved ones.
“We interpret this decision as primarily motivated by appeasing Maryam’s family while conveniently ignoring the profound pain inflicted on Bilyaminu’s grieving family, friends, and associates,” the family added.
They further accused the government of undermining the judicial process and dehumanizing Bilyaminu, reducing his life and legacy to “a mere statistic.” The statement also noted that the pardon ignored the suffering of Sanda’s own children, who were first deprived of their father and now faced this controversial release.
Despite their heartbreak, the family concluded by expressing faith in divine justice, saying, “We take solace in the fact that ultimate justice resides with the Supreme Judge and our Creator, who will dispense this matter on the Day of Recompense.”
Source: Premium Times
