As convicted murderer, Maryam Sanda, gets presidential pardon, Nigerians wonder if Somtochukwu’s killers will one day walk free
By Ishaya Ibrahim
Nigerians are reacting to the list of presidential pardons released by the presidency showing drug traffickers, illegal miners and persons convicted of capital crimes topping the list.
One of the persons involved in capital crimes who got pardoned five years after conviction is Maryam Sanda.
In 2017, Maryam Sanda stabbed her husband, Bilyaminu Bello, son of former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) national chairman, Haliru Bello, to death. In January 2020, she was sentenced to die by hanging. An Appeal Court later affirms her death sentence.
But the presidency announced a pardon for the convicted murderer on the ground that her family pleaded for her release, arguing that it was in the best interest of her two children. According to the presidency, the plea was also anchored on her good conduct in jail, her remorse, and her embracement of a new lifestyle, demonstrating her commitment to being a model prisoner.
But the presidency has come under attack for the list of presidential pardons involving drug dealers, illegal miners and convicted murderers.
On X, reactions have been pouring.
@djokaymegamixer said: “I wonder if President Tinubu will, in the near future, also find “reason” to pardon the armed robbers who killed Somtochukwu Christelle Maduagwu, the 29-year-old Arise News anchor whose death shocked the country. What is good for Maryam Sanda should be good for them.”
@YeleSowore said: “Tinubu frees Maryam Sanda, a woman convicted in 2020 for the murder of her husband. A convicted murderer gets clemency because of connection. Yet Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, who has never been convicted of any crime, continues to rot in detention while awaiting a sham trial. This is hypocrisy. #FreeNnamdiKanuNow.”
@Ridwanullahi said: “Maryam Sanda attempted to murder her husband about five times on the same night before she finally succeeded. Whatever reason that might have been presented to the President to justify the pardon could never have been enough to justify the pardon of a cold blooded murderer sentenced to death and has only served 6 years in prison.”
@Charles_Ehimen said: “In 2019, ex gov of Oyo State, Ajimobi pardoned Yewande Oyediran who was jailed for killing her husband. Yewande is currently living her best life abroad. Maryam Sanda who was also sentenced to death for killing her husband was also pardoned by Tinubu. I hope men are learning?
@Waspapping said: “Maryam Sanda has been pardoned by President Tinubu. In this country, please don’t let anyone kill you, they’ll walk free, and nothing will happen.”
