The family of the late Bilyaminu Bello has strongly condemned the presidential pardon granted to his convicted wife, Maryam Sanda, describing the decision as a painful reopening of old wounds.
President Bola Tinubu had on October 11, 2025, included Sanda among 175 inmates granted clemency under the federal prerogative of mercy, citing her alleged remorse, reformation, and the need to reunite with her children.
However, in a statement signed by Dr. Bello Haliru Mohammed (Dangaladiman Gwandu) on behalf of the family, the late Bilyaminu’s relatives said the move was an “injustice” that negates the essence of the judicial system.
The statement, titled “When Prerogative of Mercy Inflicts Inexorable Pain,” condemned the release of Sanda, saying it portrays her crime as trivial and disregards the anguish of the victim’s loved ones.
“To have Maryam Sanda walk the face of the earth again, free from any blemish for her heinous crime, is the worst possible injustice any family could face,” the statement read.
Background of the Case
Sanda was convicted in January 2020 by the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Abuja, for killing her husband during a domestic dispute on November 19, 2017.
The court found her guilty of stabbing Bilyaminu to death, rejecting her claim that the incident was accidental.
The Court of Appeal later upheld the death sentence, which was reaffirmed by the Supreme Court in October 2023.
Family Reacts to Clemency
The family said they had accepted the court’s ruling as justice served and chosen to remain silent for the sake of the couple’s two children.
They expressed disappointment that the federal government chose to “appease” Sanda’s family through clemency rather than uphold the rule of law.
“This latest turn of events has reopened our healing wounds. It is the worst injustice any family could be made to go through,” the family said.
They also noted that Sanda had shown “no visible remorse” during her trial, insisting that the pardon undermines the seriousness of domestic violence and homicide cases in Nigeria.
“Bilyaminu Was Not a Statistic”
The statement stressed that the family felt compelled to speak out to humanise their late son, who they said was being reduced to “a mere statistic among countless victims of crime.”
“Maryam had denied the same children now used to secure her release the opportunity to know a father’s love,” the family added.
Despite their pain, the family said they found comfort in their faith, entrusting the ultimate judgment to God.
“We beseech Almighty Allah to grant the soul of our dear Bilyaminu eternal rest and continue to guide his children,” the statement concluded.
