Tinubu’s clemency for Maryam Sanda was God’s will, says victim’s father

Ahmed Isa Bello, the father of the late Bilyaminu Bello, has said that he had been asking for mercy for his daughter-in-law, Maryam Sanda, long before President Bola Tinubu granted her a pardon.

Bello explained that he wrote to the former Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, in 2019, appealing for clemency for Sanda on humanitarian grounds.

Maryam Sanda was sentenced to death in 2017 for killing her husband but was among those recently pardoned by President Tinubu.

Speaking at a press conference in Abuja on Tuesday, Bello said the pardon was an act of God and a show of mercy that would allow Sanda to care for her two children.

“I am happy that the father of the nation has freed Maryam so she can look after her children.

As Muslims, we accept whatever comes from Almighty Allah. I have forgiven her. Taking revenge won’t bring back my son, but forgiveness brings peace,” he said.

Bello added that he holds no grudges against Sanda, her family, or the government, saying forgiveness is the only way to heal from such a painful loss.