President Tinubu Pardons 175 Prisoners — Including Maryam Sanda

In a move that’s stirring both relief and outrage, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has granted state pardon to 175 prisoners across Nigeria — among them, Maryam Sanda, the woman convicted and sentenced to death for the murder of her husband, Bilyaminu Bello, in 2017.

The pardon, announced following recommendations from the Presidential Advisory Committee on Prerogative of Mercy, comes as part of an effort to decongest prisons and offer “a second chance” to selected inmates.

Maryam Sanda’s case had captured national attention years ago — a story of love, rage, and tragedy that ended in the death of her husband, the son of a former PDP chairman. Her conviction was upheld by the Supreme Court in 2022, sealing what many saw as justice served.

Now, her inclusion in the presidential pardon list is reigniting debate. Supporters see mercy. Critics see injustice — a system that bends for the powerful and the well-connected.

Whether seen as compassion or contradiction, this decision will not be easily forgotten.