Alhaji Ahmed Bello Isa, the father of the late Bilyaminu Bello, has openly accepted President Bola Tinubu’s pardon for his daughter-in-law, Maryam Sanda, stating that he had long forgiven her for his son’s death.
Speaking at a press conference in Abuja on Tuesday, the elderly Bello said he welcomed the presidential pardon as “the will of God” and described Sanda’s release as an act of charity that would allow her to care for her two children.
“I am happy that the father of the nation has released Maryam so that she can look after her children.
“We as Muslims accept whatever comes from Almighty Allah. I have forgiven her and bear no grudges against the federal government or her family. Vengeance cannot bring back my son, but forgiveness can bring peace,” he said.
Maryam Sanda, the daughter of a former Aso Savings executive, was found guilty and sentenced to death by hanging in January 2020 for the murder of her husband, Bilyaminu Bello, a nephew of former Peoples Democratic Party National Chairman Alhaji Bello Haliru Mohammed.
The killing, which occurred in November 2017 during a domestic dispute in Abuja, sparked widespread outrage and brought attention to issues of domestic violence and justice.
Bello disclosed that his appeal for mercy dated back to 2019, even before the court handed down the death sentence.
He claimed he had written numerous letters to officials, including the then-Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, and the Commissioner of Police in the Federal Capital Territory, pleading for mercy for his daughter-in-law.
Earlier on Monday, a statement written by Dr. Bello Mohammed on behalf of several relatives condemned the pardon, characterizing it as “the worst possible injustice any family could be made to go through.”
But reacting, Bello denied the statement, saying it did not represent his views.
“That is their personal opinion. I am the father of the deceased, and I have chosen forgiveness. We may not all see things the same way, but I believe this is the right path, for peace, for the children, and for Allah’s mercy,” he said.
