The Presidency has explained the rationale behind granting presidential clemency to Maryam Sanda, who was sentenced to death for the 2017 murder of her husband, Bilyaminu Bello, the son of a former PDP National Chairman.
In a statement released on Thursday October 30th, the Presidency said Sanda’s inclusion in the latest list of pardoned inmates followed “a thorough and compassionate review process” by the Presidential Advisory Committee on the Prerogative of Mercy.
Presidential spokesperson Ajuri Ngelale clarified that the decision was based on several factors, including demonstrated remorse, good behaviour during incarceration, and her role as a mother of young children. He stressed that the exercise was neither politically motivated nor influenced by external pressure.
Ngelale stated: “The President’s approval was guided by humanitarian and legal considerations within the framework of the Constitution and relevant correctional laws. Each case was evaluated independently.”
The announcement, however, sparked nationwide outrage. Many Nigerians, including women’s rights groups and families of victims of domestic violence, condemned the clemency as “a setback for justice and deterrence.”
Legal experts remain divided on the implications of the move, with some arguing that executive mercy must balance compassion with accountability. The Presidency maintains that clemency is not an acquittal and that the decision was strictly guided by the committee’s recommendations.
