Tinubu reverses clemency granted Maryam Sanda, reviews pardon for kidnapping, drug-related offences
By Jeffrey Agbo
President Bola Tinubu has revoked the pardon granted to Maryam Sanda, who was sentenced to death in 2020 for the killing of her husband, Bilyaminu Bello.
Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, announced this in an official gazette released on Wednesday.
Sanda, who had already spent six years and eight months at the Suleja Medium Security Custodial Centre, will now complete 12-year jail term.
President Tinubu also ordered a review of the presidential pardon granted to at least 175 persons at the National Council of State meeting on October 9, 2025.
This followed nationwide outrage over the inclusion of individuals convicted of serious offences.
Onanuga, said, “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.”
Onanuga added, “Others who had been hitherto pardoned in the old list had their sentences commuted.”
