The recent presidential pardon extended to Maryam Sanda has sparked widespread outrage across Nigeria. Maryam, who was condemned to death by hanging in 2020 for the murder of her husband, Bilyaminu Bello, at their Abuja home on November 19, 2017, was among 175 inmates granted clemency by President Bola Tinubu under the constitutional prerogative of mercy.
Maryam Sanda, daughter of Maimuna Alliyu, former head of Aso Savings, was found guilty by the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory in Abuja for fatally stabbing Bello, the son of ex-Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) national chairman Haliru Bello, during a domestic altercation. Justice Yusuf Halilu ruled that the evidence presented by the prosecution clearly established her guilt, warranting the death penalty.
Prior to receiving the presidential pardon, Maryam had spent nearly seven years incarcerated at Suleja Medium Security Custodial Centre, awaiting execution.
In defense of the pardon, Bayo Onanuga, the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, explained that Maryam’s family petitioned for her release, emphasizing the welfare of her two children. He also highlighted her exemplary behavior in prison, genuine remorse, and adoption of a reformed lifestyle as factors influencing the decision.
Despite these justifications, many Nigerians perceive the pardon as a glaring example of inequality, attributing it to Maryam’s influential family ties and wealth. Critics argue that this act exposes a double standard within the justice system, especially when contrasted with the continued detention of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the banned Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), who remains imprisoned without conviction.
Omoyele Sowore, former African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate, condemned the pardon as blatant hypocrisy. He pointed out that while Maryam, a convicted murderer, was granted clemency, Nnamdi Kanu languishes in custody awaiting a trial many consider unjust. Sowore tweeted, “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.”
Voices across social media echoed similar sentiments, lamenting the selective nature of mercy in Nigeria’s justice system. One user remarked, “On paper, a pardon symbolizes compassion and second chances, but in a nation where justice favors the powerful, mercy becomes a privilege rather than a principle.” Another highlighted the plight of countless ordinary Nigerians serving harsh sentences for minor offenses, forgotten in overcrowded prisons without public sympathy or presidential intervention.
Many expressed frustration over the government’s refusal to grant Nnamdi Kanu amnesty, questioning why a man yet to be convicted remains in solitary confinement while convicted criminals receive pardons. Comments like “Nigeria has transformed justice into a privilege for the connected and punishment for the outspoken” and “When convicted killers walk free while political prisoners suffer, democracy becomes a farce” were common.
Some Nigerians also pointed to ethnic tensions underlying the debate. One commentator noted the lack of vocal support from certain Igbo individuals regarding Kanu’s detention, labeling it as “Igbo-phobia” fueled by deep-seated ethnic animosities rather than legal considerations.
Others called for transparency and fairness in the pardon process, insisting that clemency should never be a political favor but grounded in clear legal and moral reasoning. They stressed that justice must be impartial, blind to ethnicity, influence, or wealth, and that victims’ rights should remain paramount.
Critics also highlighted the broader implications of the pardon list, which included numerous drug traffickers, kidnappers, and corrupt officials, raising concerns about the message it sends regarding accountability and deterrence. One user lamented, “Thousands of Nigerians languish in prison for poverty-related offenses, yet privileged individuals convicted of heinous crimes are released. This undermines the very foundation of justice.”
Some attributed the inclusion of Maryam’s name on the pardon list to poor vetting or manipulation by insiders, suggesting that the President may have been misled or pressured into approving the clemency.
Comparisons were drawn to previous mass pardons, such as the release of repentant Boko Haram members under former President Muhammadu Buhari, with many questioning why political detainees like Nnamdi Kanu remain excluded from such gestures of goodwill.
In summary, the pardon of Maryam Sanda has reignited debates about fairness, justice, and political influence in Nigeria’s legal system. While some view it as an act of compassion for a remorseful individual and her children, many see it as emblematic of systemic bias that favors the powerful and connected, undermining public trust in the rule of law.
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