Tinubu’s Sh*cking Mercy: Why The President Freed Woman Convicted Of Husband’s Murder – Aso Rock Explains

The deceased was the son of former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Chairman, Haliru Bello.

Sanda was sentenced to death by hanging by Justice Yusuf Halilu of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in January 2020, but she is now set to be pardoned after spending six years and eight months at the Suleja Medium Security Custodial Centre.

According to Onanuga, Sanda’s family appealed for her release, citing the welfare of her two children and her record of good behaviour behind bars.

He stated:

“Her family pleaded for her release, arguing that it was in the best interest of her two children. The plea also highlighted her remorse, good conduct, and adoption of a new, positive lifestyle as proof of genuine rehabilitation.”

Onanuga explained that the pardon was granted on the recommendation of the Presidential Advisory Committee on the Prerogative of Mercy, chaired by the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Olasunkanmi Fagbemi (SAN).

The committee, he added, considered convicts based on remorse, good conduct, old age, educational pursuit, and vocational rehabilitation. Some beneficiaries were recognised for their participation in the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), while others showed remarkable behavioural reform.

Other notable beneficiaries of the presidential clemency include illegal miners, white-collar crime offenders, repentant drug offenders, foreigners, Major General Mamman Vatsa, Major Akubo, Professor Magaji Garba, and environmental activists such as Ken Saro-Wiwa and the other Ogoni Eight, among a total of 175 convicts and former convicts.