Reactions have followed President Bola Tinubu’s decision to cancel the earlier pardon granted to Maryam Sanda, some drug traffickers, and other convicts whose crimes were considered serious.
Maryam Sanda was convicted in 2017 for killing her husband, Bilyaminu Bello. She was sentenced to death by hanging, but President Tinubu has now reduced her sentence to 12 years in prison on compassionate grounds.
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Her name appeared in a new list released by the Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN. The list followed President Tinubu’s order to review the previous list of 175 people who had been granted pardon or sentence reduction.
According to the Presidency, the review removed people convicted of serious crimes like murder, drug trafficking, and kidnapping from the list. However, Sanda’s punishment was reduced instead of a full pardon, which officials described as “a fair balance between mercy and justice.”
The official document said her sentence was changed “for compassionate reasons and in the best interest of her children,” noting that she had shown good behavior in prison. A small error in the document misspelled her name as “Maryam Sunda.”
Sanda has been in prison for six years and eight months at the Suleja Correctional Centre. Her earlier inclusion in the pardon list sparked public anger. The family of her late husband and human rights groups protested, saying freeing her would be unjust to victims of violent crimes.
Following the backlash, the Presidency ordered a full review of the list. Presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga said the review was done to consider public feelings, national security, and the morale of law enforcement officers.
“Justice must serve three sides — the accused, the victim, and the state,” he said.
After the review, those convicted of serious crimes were removed, while others received sentence reductions. The Nigerian Correctional Service has been instructed to carry out the new orders.
President Tinubu also moved the Presidential Advisory Committee on Pardon from the Ministry of Special Duties to the Ministry of Justice. He asked the Attorney-General to create new rules for future pardons, including mandatory consultation with prosecutors.
Tinubu said, “Mercy must never destroy justice. Our clemency process must show both conscience and accountability.”
Lawyers Say Tinubu Has the Right to Grant or Cancel Pardons
Senior lawyers said President Tinubu acted within his constitutional powers. They explained that the 1999 Constitution gives the President authority to grant, withdraw, or review pardons.
Mr. Mohammed Ndarani, SAN, said people complaining about Tinubu’s decision were mistaken because the Constitution allows him to exercise such discretion.
Mr. Abdul Balogun, SAN, added that both the initial pardon and the later review were legal. Barrister Paul Omoluabi noted that there is no constitutional provision to challenge how the President uses this power.
Atiku Criticizes Tinubu’s Decision
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar criticized President Tinubu’s administration for reversing the clemency list only after public criticism.
Through his aide, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku said Tinubu’s government “thinks after acting” and accused it of lacking foresight.
He said, “Tinubu cancelled the pardon for drug traffickers, kidnappers, and other criminals only after Nigerians protested. This is not wisdom; it’s shame.
“If the public had stayed quiet, these criminals would be free today. Who approved such a list in the first place? Where was the Attorney General? Why does this government always act carelessly before thinking?”
Atiku added that governance should not be a “trial and error” exercise. He called on the President to publish the full list of those who were to benefit from the pardon so Nigerians could see their names and offences.
“This cancellation is just damage control — too little, too late,” he concluded.