President Bola Tinubu has reduced the death penalty of husband-killer Maryam Sanda to 12 years imprisonment.
Presidential spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, stated this on Wednesday in Abuja.
Ms Sanda was sentenced to death for killing her husband Bilyaminu Ahmed Bello in 2017.
By this new development, Ms Sanda would spend another five years in prison. She has been in prison since 2017 when the case started.
She was recently granted full pardon by President Tinubu alongside convicted drug barons, kidnappers and armed robbers — drawing national outrage and condemnation.
Tinubu had ordered a further review of the initial list submitted for consideration, as a result of which led to the removal of convicts involved in serious crimes such as murder, kidnapping, armed robbery, drug trafficking, human trafficking, and fraud.
Onanuga said the move automatically excluded inmates like Ms Sanda, who was convicted in 2020 by the Federal Capital Territory High Court for killing her husband, Bilyaminu Bello, the son of a former PDP National Chairman, Haliru Bello.
Her death sentence drew nationwide reaction and is currently under appeal.
Onanuga said the review was guided by national security considerations, public sensitivity, and justice for victims and their families.
“This action became necessary in view of the seriousness and security implications of some of the offences, the need to be sensitive to the feelings of the victims of the crimes and society in general, and the need to boost the morale of law enforcement agencies,” the statement read.
The statement explained that the final list of eligible beneficiaries has since been transmitted to the Nigerian Correctional Service, NCoS, for implementation in line with the duly signed instruments of release.
Onanuga said Tinubu has approved 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.
“He also directed the Attorney-General of the Federation to issue new guidelines for the exercise of the prerogative of mercy.
“These guidelines will make it compulsory for the committee to consult with prosecuting agencies such as the EFCC, NDLEA, Police, and DSS before any recommendation is made.
‘The Presidency noted that this reform is aimed at ensuring that only deserving convicts who meet all legal and procedural standards benefit from future pardons or sentence commutations.
Tinubu said justice must be seen as a “three-way traffic” involving the accused, the victim, and the society, underscoring the need to balance compassion with accountability.
He expressed appreciation to stakeholders and members of the public for their constructive feedback during the review process and reaffirmed his administration’s broader commitment to judicial reform and improving the administration of justice in Nigeria.
“The President remains committed to a justice system that is fair, firm, and transparent — one that upholds the rule of law and ensures that mercy does not amount to impunity,” the statement concluded.
