President Tinubu Revokes Clemency for Convicted Husband-Killer, Maryam Sanda, in Signaling Toughest Approach to Executive Powers

President Bola Tinubu has made a decisive move to uphold justice by removing convicted husband-killer, Maryam Sanda, from the revised Presidential Pardon List. The revised Instrument of Presidential Prerogative of Mercy (Grant of Clemency), 2025, signed by the President on October 21, 2025, outlines individuals granted pardon, commutation of death sentences, and clemency. However, it excludes those convicted of grave offences such as murder, kidnapping, terrorism, and armed robbery. The revised list was reviewed in consultation with the Council of State and the Federal Ministry of Justice to ensure fairness and transparency in the clemency process.

Key Takeaways:

• The revised Presidential Pardon List excludes those convicted of murder, kidnapping, terrorism, and armed robbery.
• 27 individuals serving various prison terms across Nigeria's correctional facilities were granted clemency.
• Among those granted clemency were Yusuf Otondahi, Henry Iteg, Malam Ibrahim Shalman, and Patrick Mensah, who received commuted sentences ranging from life imprisonment to reduced jail terms based on age, rehabilitation, and vocational achievements.
• Inmates like Helen Solomon and Akindele Kehinde, jailed for possession of cannabis sativa, had their sentences cut from 10 years to between 3 and 5 years based on rehabilitation and vocational achievements while in custody.
• Aged and medically challenged inmates, including Amin Ibrahim Liman (71) and Muhammad Bello Musa (67), had their terms commuted based on age and ill health.
• Maryam Sanda, convicted in 2020 by the FCT High Court for the murder of her husband, Bilyaminu Bello, was deliberately removed from the clemency list after review.
• President Tinubu believes that granting clemency to individuals convicted of heinous crimes could erode the credibility of the justice system and weaken public confidence.
• The Federal Ministry of Justice will play a central role in screening and vetting all applications for presidential pardon to ensure that only deserving, non-violent, and rehabilitated offenders are considered.

Statistics:

• 27 individuals were granted clemency across Nigeria's correctional facilities.
• 5 years was the minimum reduced jail term granted to inmates like Henry Iteg for manslaughter.
• 10 years was the maximum reduced jail term granted to Yusuf Otondahi for manslaughter.
• 3-5 years was the reduced sentence range granted to Helen Solomon and Akindele Kehinde for possession of cannabis sativa.
• 71 years old was the age of Amin Ibrahim Liman, an inmate with a commuted term.
• 67 years old was the age of Muhammad Bello Musa, an inmate with a commuted term.

Sources:

• "The Instrument of Presidential Prerogative of Mercy (Grant of Clemency), 2025"
• "S.I. No. 70 of 2025 - The Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (1999 as amended), Cap C23 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 (Instrument of Presidential Prerogative of Mercy)"
• THEWILL