Tinubu reverses Maryam Sanda’s pardon, commutes death sentence to 12 years imprisonment
President Bola Tinubu has reversed the presidential pardon earlier granted to Maryam Sanda, who was convicted of killing her husband, Bilyaminu Bello, in Abuja in 2017.
In an official gazette released by Presidential Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, on Wednesday, the President commuted Sanda’s death sentence to 12 years imprisonment instead of granting her a full pardon.
According to the document, “The decision was taken on compassionate grounds, in the best interest of her children.
”Her good conduct, remorse, and reformation while serving time at the Suleja Medium Security Custodial Centre, where she has spent over six years and eight months”, it added.
Sanda had initially been among 175 persons reportedly listed for presidential clemency earlier in October 2025, sparking widespread criticism over the inclusion of individuals convicted of murder, drug trafficking, and human trafficking.
The Presidency said at the time that her family had appealed for leniency, citing her children and positive prison record.
The plea was considered by the Presidential Advisory Committee on the Prerogative of Mercy, chaired by Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), Prince Lateef Olasunkanmi Fagbemi (SAN).
However, Wednesday’s gazette clarified that Sanda was not among those whose death sentences were commuted to life imprisonment. Instead, her case received a special review, reducing her punishment to 12 years.
The document listed other beneficiaries of the presidential commutation, including:
Emmanuel Baba
Abubakar Usman
Khalifa Umar
Mohammed Umar
The gazette read: “In exercise of the powers conferred upon me by Section 175 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), and all other powers enabling me in that behalf, I, BOLA AHMED TINUBU, GCFR, President, Federal Republic of Nigeria, hereby commute the death sentence of the following persons to life imprisonment.”
“This Instrument may be cited as the Instrument of Presidential Prerogative of Mercy (Commutation of Death Sentence to Life Imprisonment), 2025, made at Abuja this 21st day of October, 2025.”
The initial pardon list included prominent figures such as Major General Mamman Vatsa, Major Akubo, Professor Magaji Garba, and environmental activist Ken Saro-Wiwa and the Ogoni Eight.
The public backlash prompted a review ordered by President Tinubu, who said the review was necessary due to “the seriousness and security implications” of some cases and to “boost the morale of law enforcement agencies.”
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar had criticised the initial list, describing it as one that “erodes the moral authority of leadership and emboldens lawlessness.”
Meanwhile, the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation clarified that no inmate approved for clemency has yet been released, as the process remains at the final administrative stage, involving due diligence and legal verification before implementation.
