Ahmed Isa Bello, father of the late Bilyaminu Bello, revealed that he had sought clemency for Maryam Sanda years before President Bola Tinubu granted her a presidential pardon.
Bello stated that in 2019, he wrote to Abubakar Malami, former Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, requesting mercy for Sanda on humanitarian grounds.
Maryam Sanda, sentenced to death in 2017 for the murder of her husband, was among those recently pardoned by President Tinubu.
Speaking at a press conference in Abuja on Tuesday, Bello described the pardon as “the will of God” and an act of mercy allowing Maryam to care for her two children.
“I am happy the father of the nation has released Maryam so she can look after her children,” he said. “As Muslims, we accept whatever comes from Almighty Allah. I have forgiven her. Vengeance cannot bring back my son, but forgiveness can bring peace.”
Bello emphasized that he holds no grudges against Sanda, her family, or the federal government, viewing forgiveness as the path to healing after the tragedy.
Her release through presidential clemency has sparked mixed reactions nationwide, but Bello affirmed that the decision reflected divine will.
“I have forgiven her,” he reiterated, fully embracing the president’s gesture as one of compassion and faith.
