Killer Housewife Maryam Sanda’s Pardon Reopens Wounds for Victim’s Family

Abuja – A presidential pardon granted to Maryam Sanda, who was convicted for the 2017 murder of her husband, Bilyaminu Ahmed Bello, has sparked anguish and condemnation from the victim’s family, who describe the act of clemency as a profound injustice.

The pardon was part of a larger clemency exercise by President Tinubu who granted pardons to 175 convicted individuals, including drug pushers, kidnappers and murderers, some on death row.

In a strongly-worded statement released on Monday and signed by Dr. Bello Haliru Mohammed, OFR, on behalf of the family, the relatives of the late Bello expressed their “deep hurt” and sense of betrayal, stating that the move has “reopened our healing wounds.”

Maryam Sanda was convicted and sentenced to death on January 27, 2020, by the FCT High Court for the “premeditated cold-blooded murder” of Bilyaminu Ahmed Bello on the night of November 19, 2017. Her conviction was later upheld by both the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court, delivering what the family called a “closure of sorts” after a lengthy judicial process.

The family stated that they had deliberately remained silent for years to protect the couple’s two children, despite what they called “sponsored write-ups” from Sanda’s camp. They placed their faith in the nation’s judiciary, which they felt had finally delivered justice.

“This latest turn of events… has expectedly reopened our healing wounds,” the family’s statement read. “To have Maryam Sanda walk the face of the earth again, free from any blemish for her heinous crime as if she had merely squashed an ant, is the worst possible injustice any family could be made to go through.”

The statement also sought to “humanise” Bilyaminu, countering what they fear is his reduction to a “mere statistical figure.” They emphasized that he was a “cherished family member who was profoundly loved and deeply mourned.”

The family questioned the grounds for the pardon, which they believe were “predicated on appeals from her family.” They pointedly noted that Sanda had “denied the same children now used to elicit sympathy and secure her release, the opportunity to know what a father’s love and care means.”

Ultimately, the Bello family stated that while earthly justice has failed them, they find solace in the belief that “the ultimate comprehensive justice resides purely with the Supreme Judge and our Creator.”

They concluded with a prayer for the eternal rest of Bilyaminu’s soul and for strength to bear his loss in the wake of this new development.

The presidential pardon has ignited a fresh debate on the prerogative of mercy, balancing acts of clemency against the enduring pain of victims’ families.