Convicted husband-killer, Maryam Sanda, has been removed from the list of beneficiaries of the presidential pardon following President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s approval of an amended Clemency and Prerogative of Mercy list.
Sanda, who was sentenced to death in 2020 for killing her husband Bilyaminu Bello, was initially reported to have been included in an earlier draft of the clemency list, a move that triggered widespread public outrage.
Her exclusion signals a response by the Federal Government to intense public criticism and security concerns.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said President Tinubu signed the legal instruments for the clemency exercise only after ordering a comprehensive review of the original list.
Onanuga explained that consultations with the Council of State, security agencies, and consideration of public reactions resulted in the removal of individuals convicted of serious crimes.
“Consequently, certain persons convicted of serious crimes such as kidnapping, drug-related offences, human trafficking, fraud, unlawful possession of firearms/arms dealing, etc., were deleted from the list,” he stated.
He added that the review was essential to uphold national security, boost the morale of law enforcement officers, and maintain justice for victims and society.
Some inmates who were initially recommended for full pardon will now only have their sentences commuted, reflecting what appears to be a stricter approach to the exercise of presidential mercy.
“Justice is a three-way traffic for the accused, the victim, and the state or society,” Onanuga added.
The final approved list has been forwarded to the Nigerian Correctional Service for immediate implementation.
