Father of late Bilyaminu Bello forgives daughter-in-law, hails Tinubu

Ahmed Bello, the father of late Bilyaminu Bello, said he has forgiven his daughter-in-law, Maryam Sanda, who was convicted for his son’s murder.

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Speaking at a press conference in Abuja on Tuesday, Mr Bello said he welcomed President Bola Tinubu’s decision to grant Ms Sanda a presidential pardon, the Punch newspaper reported.

Mr Bello added that he had earlier appealed for clemency on her behalf.

“I have left everything to God,” the deceased’s father said during the meeting.

Mr Tinubu had earlier granted state pardon and clemency to 175 convicted persons, including drug offenders serving various sentences.

Ms Sanda, one of those pardoned, was sentenced to death in 2020 for killing her husband, the late Bilyaminu Bello, in their Abuja home on 19 November 2017.

Ms Sanda, a mother of two, had stabbed the late Mr Bello to death with a broken groundnut bottle in the neck, chest and genitals after accusing him of infidelity.

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According to a witness during the murder trial, the convict had earlier been prevented from stabbing the deceased with the same bottle by a visitor on the same day.

The conviction was upheld by both the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court in 2020 and 2023, respectively.

Forgiveness, peace

The latest development follows the family’s initial condemnation of the presidential pardon.

The family had in a statement described Mr Tinubu’s decision as the worst possible injustice any family could be subjected to for a loved one.

However, speaking at the press conference, the bereaved father said he had written to the police and the attorney general before the court’s pronouncement to discontinue the trial and to seek “clemency for his daughter-in-law.”

Mr Bello said the development means that his “prayers have been answered,” adding that her reintroduction into society would enable her to look after her children.

“We as Muslims accept whatever comes from almighty Allah. I have forgiven her and bear no grudges against the federal government or her family,” he said.

READ ALSO: Family of Bilyaminu Bello condemns presidential pardon for convicted killer Maryam Sanda

“Vengeance cannot bring back my son, but forgiveness can bring peace.”

Presidential pardon

The presidential pardon has since elicited widespread controversy.

Some were granted full pardons, while others, including notorious kidnappers and murderers, had their sentences commuted or reduced.

The list also includes “illegal miners, white-collar convicts, remorseful drug offenders, foreigners…,” according to presidential spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga.

Ms Sanda, now 37, had spent six years and eight months at the Suleja Medium Security Custodial Centre before her release.

According to Mr Onanuga, the decision followed pleas from her family, who argued that freeing her was in the best interest of her two children.