Maryam Sanda presidential pardon 2025 draws strong criticism from Bilyaminu Mohammed’s family, who say the clemency denies them justice and closure
Maryam Sanda presidential pardon 2025 has ignited a wave of public criticism, led by the grieving family of her late husband, Bilyaminu Mohammed, who was murdered in 2017.
Also read: Nigeria board gender diversity 2025 hits record high
The family has described the clemency granted by President Bola Tinubu as a profound injustice and a reopening of wounds they had long tried to heal.
Sanda was convicted of stabbing her husband to death in their Abuja home and sentenced to death by the FCT High Court in 2020, a verdict upheld by the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court.
Her inclusion among 175 inmates granted clemency on October 11, 2025, has stunned the Mohammed family and sparked a wider national conversation about justice, accountability, and presidential power.
In a strongly worded statement titled “When Prerogative of Mercy Inflicts Inexorable Pain,” the family, represented by Dr. Bello Haliru Mohammed, accused the presidency of appeasing Sanda’s family at the expense of justice.
“Although the perpetrator had shown no remorse… we took solace in the court’s verdicts. This pardon has undone that closure,” the statement read.
The Maryam Sanda presidential pardon 2025 was granted following recommendations from the Presidential Advisory Committee on the Prerogative of Mercy, citing “reformation, remorse, and the need for her to reunite with her children.”
But the victim’s family rebuffed that rationale, stating, “Bilyaminu was also a cherished family member… Maryam denied his children the chance to experience their father’s love.”
The family said they had remained silent throughout the legal proceedings out of respect for the children involved and trust in the judicial process.
They criticised what they described as “sponsored narratives” from Sanda’s side, which they claim sought to sway public sympathy.
“This is the worst injustice a family could face,” the statement added, warning that the pardon undermines faith in the legal system and diminishes the gravity of premeditated murder.
The Mohammed family concluded their remarks by placing hope in divine justice, praying for eternal peace for Bilyaminu and guidance for his children.
Also read: Nigeria board gender diversity 2025 hits record high
As the Maryam Sanda presidential pardon 2025 continues to spark debate, legal experts and rights advocates are calling for a review of the clemency process — particularly in cases involving capital crimes where all judicial avenues have been exhausted.
David Okere is a journalist and contributor to Freelanews.com, covering business, governance, public affairs, and human-interest stories with a commitment to accuracy, balance, and public interest reporting.
