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 presidential pardon list.
This was disclosed on Wednesday in a statement issued by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
According to the statement, President Tinubu directed that individuals convicted of severe crimes — including kidnapping, drug trafficking, human trafficking, fraud, and illegal possession or trafficking of firearms — be excluded from the updated pardon list.
The presidential aide further noted that while certain individuals earlier granted clemency under the old list will have their sentences reduced, those found guilty of grave offenses will no longer benefit from any form of pardon.
Maryam Sanda was convicted and sentenced to death by hanging in January 2020 by an Abuja High Court after being found guilty of killing her husband, the late Bilyaminu Bello, son of a former National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Haliru Bello.
Further details are expected as the presidency finalizes the revised list.
Details shortly…
