Tinubu Commutes Maryam Sanda’s Death Sentence to 12 Years in Prison

President Bola Tinubu has commuted the death sentence of Maryam Sanda, who was convicted in 2020 for killing her husband, Bilyaminu Bello, during a domestic dispute, to 12 years’ imprisonment.

The decision was announced on Wednesday by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy. According to Onanuga, the commutation was granted on compassionate grounds following consultations with the Council of State and a review of public opinion. He said the decision considered Sanda’s good conduct in custody, signs of reformation, and the welfare of her children.

“Following consultations with the Council of State and public opinion, the President directed a review of the initially approved list under Section 175 of the 1999 Constitution,” Onanuga stated. “Certain offenders convicted of serious crimes such as kidnapping, drug trafficking, and arms dealing were removed from the list, while others had their sentences commuted.”

Sanda, now 37, had spent nearly seven years at the Suleja Medium Security Custodial Centre before the new decision. Onanuga said the review aimed to balance justice for the victim, the accused, and society, while respecting the feelings of victims’ families and reinforcing confidence in law enforcement.

“Ms Sanda is now to serve 12 years in prison based on compassionate grounds, her good behavior, and her efforts toward rehabilitation,” he said.

In January 2020, the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja found Sanda guilty of culpable homicide and sentenced her to death by hanging after determining she fatally stabbed her husband during an argument. The victim, Bilyaminu Bello, was the son of Haliru Bello, a former national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Sanda’s trial, which began in 2017, was marked by multiple adjournments, bail applications, and procedural delays. She consistently claimed the killing was not premeditated but occurred in the heat of a domestic quarrel.

In the latest review of clemency cases, President Tinubu approved commutations or pardons for 86 individuals. To improve transparency in future exercises, he directed that the Secretariat of the Presidential Advisory Committee on Prerogative of Mercy be moved from the Ministry of Special Duties to the Ministry of Justice. The Attorney-General of the Federation has also been instructed to develop new guidelines to ensure that only those who meet all legal and procedural standards benefit from presidential mercy.