President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has struck Maryam Sanda sentenced to death for stabbing her husband Bilyaminu Bello in 2017 from the presidential pardon roster, his office announced Wednesday.
Spokesman Bayo Onanuga confirmed the decision, stating Tinubu ordered a purge of inmates convicted of heinous crimes including kidnapping, drug trafficking, human smuggling, fraud, and illegal arms dealing.
Backlash Sparks Review
Sanda’s inclusion on the initial 175-name list ignited public fury. Critics slammed the move as rewarding violence. The 2020 conviction after she fatally stabbed Bello at their Abuja home remained fresh in memory.
Facing outrage, Tinubu mandated a multi-agency audit. The revised list now stands at 34 inmates, with prior pardons adjusted to reduced sentences.
Mercy with Limits
Last week, Tinubu greenlit clemency for 175 prisoners under the Prerogative of Mercy a constitutional tool for humanitarian releases. But serious offenders no longer qualify.
Onanuga stressed:
“The President insists justice and public safety guide every pardon.”
What Changed?
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Maryam Sanda: Removed (death row for murder)
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Other felons: Dropped for violent or major crimes
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Remaining 34: Eligible for compassionate release
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Past beneficiaries: Sentences shortened, not erased
A Line in the Sand
The move signals Tinubu’s zero-tolerance for leniency toward dangerous criminals. It balances mercy with accountability, calming a nation weary of crime glorification.
Should murderers ever get pardons?
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