The biological father of the late Bilyaminu Bello, who was murd£red by his wife, Maryam Sanda, in 2017, expressed joy on Wednesday, Oct. 14, over the pardon granted to his daughter-in-law by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
In an unexpected turn of events, Bello’s father said he had been makibg attempta behind the scene to secure freedom for Maryam, who had been on de@th row since her sentencing for the murd£r of her husband.
Speaking at a joint press conference with Alhaji Garba Sanda, father of Maryam, Alhaji Ahmed Bello Isa stated that his motivation was purely humanitarian, and that he wanted his daughter-in-law released so she could look after her two young children, and that executing her would not bring back his son.
He explained that, as a devout Muslim, he had long accepted the tragic incident which has been a subject of public discussion, choosing to forgive and leave judgment to Allah.
He said he had previously written to both the then Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), and the Commissioner of Police, FCT Command in 2019, to seek clemency for Maryam Sanda.
Although those early appeals went unanswered, the recent pardon granted by President Tinubu under the Presidential Prerogative of Mercy finally brought his request to fruition.
One letter he wrote seeking pardon for Maryam is dated December 16, 2024, and titled “Request for Exercise of Prerogative of Mercy for My Daughter-in-Law, Maryam Sanda Sentenced to Death by Hanging.”
He confirmed reports that some family members objected to his forgiveness and petition for clemency, saying he understood that people would hold different opinions on such a sensitive matter, but as both a father and a Muslim, he believes this was the best course of action for peace and humanity.
Also speaking, Alhaji Garba Sanda, father of Maryam, expressed deep gratitude to Alhaji Bello and his entire family for their rare act of compassion, describing it as “a true reflection of faith and forgiveness.
