President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has ordered the removal of Maryam Sanda, who was sentenced to death in 2020 for the murder of her husband, Bilyaminu Bello, from the list of inmates recommended for presidential pardon.
This was disclosed in a statement issued on Wednesday by Bayo Onanuga, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy.
According to Onanuga, the decision followed extensive consultations with the Council of State, a review of public opinion, and the completion of all legal instruments required to formalize the updated list of beneficiaries.
He explained that the President exercised his constitutional powers of prerogative of mercy under Section 175 (1) and (2) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), but directed that individuals convicted of heinous crimes such as murder, kidnapping, drug trafficking, human trafficking, fraud, and illegal firearms possession be excluded.
“President Tinubu has ordered the removal of individuals convicted of severe crimes, including kidnapping, drug offenses, human trafficking, fraud, and illegal firearms possession or trafficking, from the list,” Onanuga stated.
He further revealed that some convicts who had earlier appeared on the old pardon list had their sentences commuted or reduced, rather than being fully pardoned.
The removal of Maryam Sanda—whose 2020 conviction for the culpable homicide of her husband drew widespread attention—comes amid growing calls from Nigerians demanding that presidential clemency should not be extended to those convicted of violent or capital crimes.
The presidency emphasized that the updated list reflects Tinubu’s commitment to ensuring that the exercise of mercy is guided by justice, public interest, and moral responsibility.
