The Family of Late Bilyaminu Bello Opposes Presidential Pardon Granted to Maryam Sanda, Labels It “The Worst Injustice Ever”
The family of late Bilyaminu Bello, who was gruesomely murdered by his wife, Maryam Sanda, has strongly condemned the recent presidential pardon reportedly granted to her by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, describing the decision as “the worst injustice ever done to our family.”
In a statement released to journalists on Monday in Abuja, members of the Bello family expressed deep shock and disappointment over the news of Sanda’s release, saying it undermines the rule of law and sends a dangerous message to the public about the value of human life.
“This decision has reopened the deep wounds we have been trying to heal for years,” the family’s spokesperson said. “Granting presidential clemency to a convicted murderer is not an act of mercy — it is an act of cruelty towards the victim’s family. It tells Nigerians that justice can be overturned by influence and connections.”
Maryam Sanda was convicted and sentenced to death by hanging in January 2020 by an Abuja High Court for killing her husband, Bilyaminu Bello, during a domestic dispute in 2017. The tragic case drew national outrage at the time, with many Nigerians calling for justice amid widespread concerns over domestic violence.
The family further questioned the timing and motive behind the pardon, alleging that it was politically influenced and not based on compassion or legal grounds.
“We lost a son, a brother, and a father in the most painful way imaginable,” the statement continued. “Now, the government has rewarded his killer with freedom. This is the darkest day for our justice system.”
The presidential pardon, part of a broader clemency exercise marking Nigeria’s Independence anniversary, has sparked intense debate across the country. Human rights activists, legal experts, and social commentators have called for transparency in the selection process for those granted amnesty, emphasizing that such acts should not compromise justice or public trust.
As of press time, the Presidency and the Ministry of Justice have not issued an official response to the backlash surrounding Sanda’s release.
Meanwhile, the Bello family has vowed to pursue all available legal and public advocacy measures to challenge the decision and ensure that their late son’s memory is not desecrated by what they described as “a miscarriage of justice wrapped in political favoritism.”