In a dramatic turn, Bola Ahmed Tinubu (GCFR) has revoked the earlier presidential pardon for Maryam Sanda, the Abuja-convicted woman who killed her husband. According to multiple reports, her death sentence has now been commuted to 12 years in prison, following intense public backlash.

Originally condemned in 2020 by the Federal Capital Territory High Court to death by hanging for killing her husband, Bilyaminu Bello, in a domestic dispute, Sanda had been granted a pardon earlier this month on “compassionate grounds”.

The pivot came when the presidency, through the Special Adviser on Information and Strategy Bayo Onanuga, released a gazette confirming that following “consultations with the Council of State and public opinion”, the pardon list had been reviewed.

Onanuga stated:

“Following consultations with the Council of State and public opinion on the matter, the President directed a further review of the initially approved list …”
“This action became necessary … the need to be sensitive to the feelings of the victims of the crimes and society in general…”

As part of the review, inmates convicted for “serious crimes such as kidnapping, drug‐related offences, human trafficking, fraud, unlawful possession of firearms/arms dealing” were removed from the pardon list.

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• Maryam Sanda was found guilty of culpable homicide on 27 January 2020 for killing her husband in their Abuja home.

• She spent six years and eight months at the Suleja Medium Security Custodial Centre before the pardon reversal.

• The death sentence has now been commuted to 12 years based on “compassionate grounds” – her good conduct in jail, her remorse, and the welfare of her children.

• Some reports earlier mis‐reported that the pardon was fully rescinded and she would serve the remaining time; rather the official gazette clarifies the sentence is now 12 years.

The decision underscores a delicate balance between the prerogative of mercy and the sensitivities of victims, society and the justice system. Analysts note:

• The move may be seen as the Office of the President of Nigeria responding to public outcry over perceived leniency.

• It also signals that future pardon exercises will face stricter guidelines: the Secretariat of the Presidential Advisory Committee on Prerogative of Mercy is being moved to the Federal Ministry of Justice and new rules will apply.

• For the victim’s family and advocates, the reversal restores confidence that heinous offences will not be treated lightly.