President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has revoked the presidential pardon earlier granted to Maryam Sanda, the woman sentenced to death in 2020 for killing her husband, Bilyaminu Bello, following a storm of public criticism and political backlash.
The decision, formalised in an official gazette released by Bayo Onanuga, the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, converts Sanda’s death sentence to 12 years’ imprisonment. The gazette notes that Sanda has already served six years and eight months at the Suleja Medium Security Custodial Centre and will now serve the remainder under a compassionate review clause.
“Maryam Sanda, whose offence was culpable homicide, sentenced on 27 January 2020 with death by hanging, has served six years and eight months… will now serve twelve years based on compassionate grounds, in the best interest of the children and in recognition of good conduct and remorsefulness,” the gazette stated.
The decision follows a full review of the initial clemency list approved under the President’s Prerogative of Mercy powers, invoked pursuant to Section 175 of the 1999 Constitution. The revised list includes 79 others, among them Harunah Isah, Mamman Ibrahim, Sadi Musa, and Halliru Sani.
🧩 Context and Backlash
Tinubu’s earlier clemency decision, which included Sanda and several high-profile convicts, triggered a national outcry. Critics—including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, opposition parties such as the African Democratic Congress (ADC), and human rights groups—described it as a “moral betrayal” that undermined Nigeria’s justice system and anti-drug campaigns.
The backlash forced the administration to reassess the list, leading to what officials now describe as a “due process recalibration” of the presidential mercy framework.
Balancing Justice and Compassion
Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), confirmed the reversal in a statement Wednesday, noting that the review was guided by legal and moral considerations.
“The President received concerns on the recommended list and consequently initiated a due process review to ensure that only persons who met stipulated legal and procedural requirements would benefit,” Fagbemi said.
“This exercise underscores the President’s desire to balance justice with compassion, ensuring that mercy reforms and redeems without subverting accountability.”
Fagbemi added that the President has ordered the immediate relocation of the Presidential Advisory Committee on Prerogative of Mercy from the Ministry of Special Duties to the Federal Ministry of Justice, to tighten oversight and standardise future mercy applications.
⚖️ Impact Snapshots
- Legal Reform: The Justice Ministry will draft new Guidelines for the Exercise of the Prerogative of Mercy, mandating compulsory consultation with relevant prosecuting agencies before any future clemency decisions.
- Public Trust: The move is intended to restore confidence in the rule of law and reinforce Tinubu’s image as a leader who corrects course when necessary.
- Humanitarian Note: The 12-year commutation was framed as “in the best interest of Sanda’s children,” symbolising the President’s intent to balance punishment with compassion.
Political Optics
Analysts say the reversal aims to neutralise political fallout and rebuild credibility with a public increasingly sensitive to justice optics. The episode has also sparked broader debate about executive powers, mercy, and morality—especially in a country still grappling with gender-based violence, corruption, and trust deficits in the judiciary.
The review comes as Tinubu’s government faces intense scrutiny over recent appointments and the restructuring of key justice-sector bodies. Political observers interpret the swift correction as part of a wider governance recalibration strategy under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
