President Bola Tinubu has commuted the death sentence of Maryam Sanda, convicted in 2020 for killing her husband, Bilyaminu Bello, to 12 years’ imprisonment on compassionate grounds.
According to an official document released on Wednesday by the special adviser to the president on information and strategy, Bayo Onanuga, Mrs Sanda, who has spent six years and eight months at the Suleja Medium Security Custodial Centre, received the new term in consideration of her good conduct and the welfare of her children.
The document stated that Sanda, who was sentenced to death by hanging for culpable homicide, will now serve 12 years in prison “based on compassionate grounds, in the best interest of the children and good conduct, having embraced a new lifestyle as a model prisoner and shown remorse.”
Earlier in October, Sanda’s name appeared among those granted clemency to mark Nigeria’s 65th independence anniversary, prompting public backlash.
Following the reactions, the presidency clarified that her case had been reviewed, not revoked.
Mr Onanuga explained that the president ordered a review of the initial list of 175 convicts recommended for clemency by the Presidential Advisory Committee on the Prerogative of Mercy, reducing it to 34 names.
“Following consultations with the Council of State and public opinion on the matter, the president directed a further review of the initially approved list in furtherance of his discretionary powers under Section 175(1) and (2) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended),” Onanuga said.
He added that individuals convicted of serious crimes such as kidnapping, drug-related offences, human trafficking, fraud and unlawful possession of firearms were removed from the list.
The updated list includes those whose sentences were either commuted or who received absolute pardons.
The attorney-general of the federation and minister of justice, Lateef Fagbemi, said the review aimed to uphold justice, consider victims’ concerns and maintain public confidence in the justice system.
President Tinubu also directed that future recommendations for the exercise of presidential mercy must involve consultation with prosecuting agencies and that the secretariat of the presidential advisory committee be relocated from the Ministry of Special Duties to the Ministry of Justice.
Bola Tinubu expressed appreciation for public feedback on the matter and reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to judicial reforms and the improvement of Nigeria’s justice system.
