CONVICTED husband-killer, Maryam Sanda, has been dropped from the list of beneficiaries of presidential pardon after President Bola Ahmed Tinubu approved an amended version of the Clemency and Prerogative of Mercy list earlier forwarded for implementation.
Sanda, who was sentenced to death in 2020 for the murder of her husband, Bilyaminu Bello, had reportedly appeared on an earlier draft of the list, sparking widespread public outrage.
Her exclusion confirms that the Federal Government has now bowed to intense public pressure and security considerations.
According to a statement on Wednesday sent to News Point Nigeria, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said President Tinubu had signed the legal instruments to formalize the exercise of his constitutional power of mercy but only after ordering a thorough review of the initially approved list.
Onanuga explained that consultations with the Council of State, security agencies, and reactions from the Nigerian public led to the removal of individuals convicted of grave offences.
“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,” the statement read.
He added that the review was crucial for national security, the morale of law enforcement officers, and justice for victims and society.
Some previously included convicts will no longer receive full pardon but sentence commutation instead, marking a stricter approach to clemency decisions going forward.
“Justice is a three-way traffic for the accused, the victim, and the state or society,” Onanuga noted.
The approved list has now been transmitted to the Nigerian Correctional Service for immediate implementation.
Tinubu also directed the immediate relocation of the secretariat of the Presidential Advisory Committee on Prerogative of Mercy from the Federal Ministry of Special Duties to the Federal Ministry of Justice.
This, he said, is to ensure that future exercises meet public expectations and best practices.
“President Tinubu also directed the Attorney-General of the Federation to issue appropriate Guidelines for the Exercise of the Power of Prerogative of Mercy, which includes compulsory consultation with relevant prosecuting agencies.
“This will ensure that only persons who fully meet the stipulated legal and procedural requirements will henceforth benefit from the issuance of instruments of release.
“The President appreciated the constructive feedback and engagement from stakeholders and the general public on this matter. President Tinubu also reaffirmed his administration’s broader commitment to judicial reforms and improving the administration of justice in Nigeria,” the statement added.
