Nigerians React as Maryam Sanda Receives Presidential Pardon for Killing Husband

Maryam Sanda, the woman convicted for killing her husband, Bilyaminu Bello, has been granted a presidential pardon after spending more than six years in prison.

Sanda was found guilty in 2020 for stabbing Bello, the son of former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Chairman, Haliru Bello, during a domestic dispute at their Maitama residence in Abuja on November 19, 2017. Justice Yusuf Halilu of the Federal Capital Territory High Court sentenced her to death by hanging, ruling that the act was premeditated.

Following her conviction, Sanda was remanded at the Suleja Medium Security Custodial Centre, where she served her sentence until her release last Friday.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu approved her clemency on October 11, 2025, as part of a list of 175 inmates granted pardon or sentence reduction. According to the Presidency, the decision was based on recommendations from the Presidential Advisory Committee on the Prerogative of Mercy, which cited Sanda’s good behaviour, remorse, and her role as a mother of two young children.

The pardon, however, has triggered widespread debate and criticism on social media, with many Nigerians expressing shock and disappointment.

On X (formerly Twitter), user @arojinle1 wrote: “Yorùbá is just all round. I saw the Maryam Sanda news and just one Yorùbá statement came to mind ‘The one who dies is the ultimate loser. Don’t let them kill you o.’”

Another user, @jollz, commented: “That Maryam Sanda pardon really drives home when Nigerians say ‘na who die, lose’. Kai.”

@basquiatshow criticised the decision, stating: “They say it’s for the kids, but a case of premeditated murder should never have been considered for pardon. The government missed it on this one. It’s pure injustice.”

@HiikyaaTor wrote: “Mr. Sunday Jackson is sentenced to death for defending himself, yet Maryam Sanda, who stabbed her husband multiple times, gets clemency. What a country!”

Similarly, @Wasppaping_ remarked: “Maryam Sanda has been pardoned by President Tinubu. In this country, please don’t let anyone kill you. They will walk free.”

The development has reignited public discourse on the use of presidential pardons in Nigeria and the fairness of the criminal justice system, especially in high-profile cases involving the privileged.