Alhaji Bello Isa, father of the late Bilyaminu Bello, who was tragically killed by his wife Maryam Sanda, has expressed profound relief and gratitude following President Bola Tinubu‘s recent decision to grant clemency to Maryam. This act of mercy has brought a sense of healing to a family long burdened by grief.
In a joint interview held in Abuja with Maryam’s father, Alhaji Garba Sanda, Alhaji Isa shared that his motivation stemmed from compassion and a desire to foster reconciliation rather than bitterness.
He disclosed that he had quietly advocated for Maryam’s pardon, despite her death sentence for the murder of his son.
Alhaji Isa emphasized that his foremost concern was the wellbeing of their two young children, insisting that executing the death penalty would not bring his son back but would instead deepen the family’s pain.
He stated, “As a committed Muslim, I have accepted this tragedy with a forgiving heart and have entrusted justice to Allah.”
Addressing speculation that some family members opposed his decision to forgive, Isa acknowledged differing opinions but affirmed that forgiveness was essential for peace and humanity, both as a father and a man of faith.
“Revenge cannot restore my son’s life, but forgiveness can build bridges between our families and offer comfort to the children, who deserve a future free from suffering.”
“People may voice their views freely, but I leave all judgment in God’s hands,” he added.
It was revealed that Alhaji Isa had formally petitioned the former Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, SAN, and the FCT Police Commissioner back in 2019, seeking clemency for Maryam.
Although these early appeals did not immediately succeed, the recent presidential pardon under the Presidential Prerogative of Mercy finally granted the relief he had long sought.
Alhaji Isa recounted that his initial plea for mercy was made even before Maryam’s conviction in January 2020. On January 17, 2019, he wrote to the Police Commissioner expressing forgiveness toward those responsible for his son’s death and urged that charges be dropped to allow his son’s soul to rest peacefully in line with Islamic principles.
Additionally, on June 21, 2019, he swore an affidavit at the FCT High Court reaffirming his forgiveness and requesting the prosecution be withdrawn.
The grieving father lamented that since the 2020 verdict, the children’s contact with their mother has been limited to rare visits at Suleja prison, a situation he described as heartbreaking for the innocent youngsters.
Speaking alongside him, Alhaji Garba Sanda, Maryam’s father, expressed deep appreciation to Alhaji Isa and his family for their extraordinary act of mercy.
He confirmed that Alhaji Isa had been advocating for clemency well before the court’s ruling, having submitted appeals to the police and produced videos during President Buhari’s administration seeking leniency.
Garba also extended his heartfelt thanks to President Tinubu for his compassionate decision.
He remarked, “Words cannot fully capture our gratitude to the Isa family for their remarkable forgiveness and commitment to reconciliation. We pray that from this sorrow, healing will blossom, and that these children will grow up embraced by love from both families.”
“From the very beginning, even before the lower court’s judgment, Alhaji Isa reached out to the police and the Attorney General, expressing that his family did not wish to pursue legal action and requested the case be dropped.
“Since 2019, he has consistently followed up and was the one who formally petitioned for clemency on behalf of his daughter-in-law. Our families have maintained close contact throughout, and the children know him well. This relationship has endured before and after the verdict.”