President Bola Tinubu has reversed the presidential pardon earlier granted to Maryam Sanda, who was sentenced to death in 2020 for killing her husband, Bilyaminu Bello, the son of former PDP chairman, Haliru Bello.
In an official gazette released on Wednesday by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, Sanda’s clemency has been reviewed. Her death sentence was converted to a 12-year jail term, meaning she will serve approximately six more years, having already spent six years and eight months in custody at the Suleja Medium Security Custodial Centre.
The gazette, titled “Reduced Terms,” stated that Sanda’s new sentence was approved on “compassionate grounds, in the best interest of her children and due to her good conduct, remorse, and reformation while in custody.”
The review follows widespread criticism of the President’s initial pardon list, which included individuals convicted of serious crimes such as murder, drug trafficking, and corruption.
Confirming the development, the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), said the review was initiated after consultations with the Council of State and public feedback.
“It is to be recalled that following consultations with the Council of State, the President received concerns on the recommended list and consequently initiated a due process review,” Fagbemi said. “This exercise was to ensure that only persons who met stipulated legal and procedural requirements would benefit from the prerogative of mercy.”
He noted that the review aimed to balance justice with compassion while reinforcing fairness and due process.
The Minister also announced that the Secretariat of the Presidential Advisory Committee on Prerogative of Mercy would be relocated from the Federal Ministry of Special Duties to the Federal Ministry of Justice. The move, he said, is to ensure stricter oversight and compliance in future exercises.
President Tinubu also directed the Attorney-General to issue new guidelines requiring mandatory consultation with relevant prosecuting agencies before clemency is granted.
The initial pardon, which included Sanda among 175 beneficiaries, had drawn sharp criticism from political figures and civil society organisations. Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and the Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) described the gesture as an “abuse of presidential privilege” and “a dangerous affront to justice.”
Sanda’s commuted sentence marks a dramatic turnaround in the government’s approach to the controversial pardon list, signalling Tinubu’s intent to restore confidence in the justice system while maintaining a balance between mercy and accountability.
About the author
Real Madrid in negotiations to buy Leipzig’s Diomande, source reveals
Real Madrid have opened talks with RB Leipzig over a move for Ivorian winger Yan Diomande, according to a source at the German club. The source told AFP that negotiations between both clubs are ongoing, with Real Madrid pushing to complete one of the summer’s biggest transfers. ESPN reported that Madrid expect to finish a deal in the coming hours, while other reports say Leipzig had earlier rejected an opening bid before fresh talks resumed. Diomande, 19, is understood to have given the green light to a move to the Spanish giants, and Madrid are said to have raised their offer to around €120 million including bonuses. Leipzig, however, is reportedly holding out for a fee closer to €130 million, and the German club has also considered keeping him for another season on loan.sports.yahoo+2 The Ivorian winger has attracted interest […]
US singer D4vd to stand trial in killing of teenage girl
American singer D4vd will stand trial on charges of killing and dismembering a 14-year-old girl, after a judge ruled there was enough evidence to proceed. The singer, whose real name is David Anthony Burke, is accused of murdering Celeste Rivas Hernandez, whose body was discovered in the trunk of a Tesla registered in his name. Prosecutors say the teen threatened to expose their illegal sexual relationship, prompting the deadly attack.abc+3 At Monday’s hearing in Los Angeles, Judge Charlaine Olmedo ruled that prosecutors had presented sufficient incriminating evidence to send the case to trial. The ruling followed a five-day preliminary hearing in which investigators presented text messages, purchase records and other evidence they say links Burke to the crime. According to prosecutors, Hernandez was 13 when the relationship began and 14 when she was killed. They also allege that Burke purchased […]
Dangote’s heirs back plan to donate one-third of wealth to charity
Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, plans to leave roughly one-third of his wealth to charitable causes, with his family publicly backing the arrangement, his daughter Halima Dangote has said. Halima Dangote, a trustee of the Aliko Dangote Foundation, said the plan was important to her father and had already been discussed with the family. She disclosed that Dangote asked his three daughters and his mother to sign the will so that 33% of his wealth could be committed to “humanity Reports estimate the amount involved at more than $11 billion to $12 billion, based on Dangote’s current net worth of about $35 billion to $36.5 billion. The plan is said to align with Islamic inheritance principles and reflect Dangote’s long-standing belief that giving back is part of business success.africa. The donation would further strengthen the Aliko Dangote Foundation, which already […]
Xenophobia: Minister meets S’African envoy after Tinubu snub
Tinubu had been expected to hold talks with the special envoy sent by President Cyril Ramaphosa, but Presidency sources said he directed the team to meet Enikanolaiye instead, in what has been widely interpreted as a diplomatic snub. The President’s stance follows fresh outbreaks of violence in South Africa, where Nigerians and other African nationals have been targeted in what Abuja describes as “Afrophobic attacks”.naijanews+4 During Monday’s meeting in Abuja, Enikanolaiye delivered a strong message on behalf of the Nigerian government, demanding urgent and concrete action from Pretoria to stop recurring assaults on its citizens. He told Lamola that official records show at least 98 Nigerians have been killed in mob and hate-related incidents in South Africa since 2022, and accused local authorities of failing to adequately prosecute perpetrators or dismantle networks behind the violence.nairametrics+1 The minister also raised concerns […]
How PFIPC was created — Accountant‑General
Appearing before the House of Representatives Ad Hoc Committee probing the PFIPC scandal, Ogunjimi said his office first came in contact with the council in November 2024, when it received a correspondence that appeared to originate from the State House. The letter, dated November 7, 2024 and bearing a State House reference, requested the creation of an administrative code for the PFIPC to enable budgeting, accounting and financial reporting. He explained that, following standard government procedures, the Office of the Accountant‑General processed the request and approved the creation of the administrative code, believing the document to be genuine because it was written on State House letterhead. The approval was then communicated back to the State House and copied to the Office of the Auditor‑General and the Budget Office of the Federation. Ogunjimi told lawmakers that subsequent investigations later showed the […]
Police arrest woman for cutting off boyfriend’s manhood in Kano
Police said the incident happened at Durbar Hotel in Badawa, where Idris allegedly attacked her boyfriend with a sharp knife after reportedly discovering his plans to marry another woman. The suspect, who hails from Maigatari Local Government Area of Jigawa State, was said to have lured the victim to the hotel before the attack. Spokesperson for the Kano State Police Command, CSP Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa, confirmed the incident in a statement issued on Monday. He said the Divisional Police Officer for Badawa led a team of detectives to the scene, where the suspect was arrested and the knife used in the attack was recovered as an exhibit. The victim was rushed to Abubakar Imam Urology Hospital, where he is currently receiving medical treatment for his injuries. Kiyawa added that detectives have begun a full investigation into the incident, and the […]
Related
Dangote’s heirs back plan to donate one-third of wealth to charity
Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, plans to leave roughly one-third of his wealth to charitable causes, with his family publicly backing the arrangement, his daughter Halima Dangote has said. Halima Dangote, a trustee of the Aliko Dangote Foundation, said the plan was important to her father and had already been discussed with the family. She disclosed that Dangote asked his three daughters and his mother to sign the will so that 33% of his wealth could be committed to “humanity Reports estimate the amount involved at more than $11 billion to $12 billion, based on Dangote’s current net worth of about $35 billion to $36.5 billion. The plan is said to align with Islamic inheritance principles and reflect Dangote’s long-standing belief that giving back is part of business success.africa. The donation would further strengthen the Aliko Dangote Foundation, which already […]
Xenophobia: Minister meets S’African envoy after Tinubu snub
Tinubu had been expected to hold talks with the special envoy sent by President Cyril Ramaphosa, but Presidency sources said he directed the team to meet Enikanolaiye instead, in what has been widely interpreted as a diplomatic snub. The President’s stance follows fresh outbreaks of violence in South Africa, where Nigerians and other African nationals have been targeted in what Abuja describes as “Afrophobic attacks”.naijanews+4 During Monday’s meeting in Abuja, Enikanolaiye delivered a strong message on behalf of the Nigerian government, demanding urgent and concrete action from Pretoria to stop recurring assaults on its citizens. He told Lamola that official records show at least 98 Nigerians have been killed in mob and hate-related incidents in South Africa since 2022, and accused local authorities of failing to adequately prosecute perpetrators or dismantle networks behind the violence.nairametrics+1 The minister also raised concerns […]
How PFIPC was created — Accountant‑General
Appearing before the House of Representatives Ad Hoc Committee probing the PFIPC scandal, Ogunjimi said his office first came in contact with the council in November 2024, when it received a correspondence that appeared to originate from the State House. The letter, dated November 7, 2024 and bearing a State House reference, requested the creation of an administrative code for the PFIPC to enable budgeting, accounting and financial reporting. He explained that, following standard government procedures, the Office of the Accountant‑General processed the request and approved the creation of the administrative code, believing the document to be genuine because it was written on State House letterhead. The approval was then communicated back to the State House and copied to the Office of the Auditor‑General and the Budget Office of the Federation. Ogunjimi told lawmakers that subsequent investigations later showed the […]
Police arrest woman for cutting off boyfriend’s manhood in Kano
Police said the incident happened at Durbar Hotel in Badawa, where Idris allegedly attacked her boyfriend with a sharp knife after reportedly discovering his plans to marry another woman. The suspect, who hails from Maigatari Local Government Area of Jigawa State, was said to have lured the victim to the hotel before the attack. Spokesperson for the Kano State Police Command, CSP Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa, confirmed the incident in a statement issued on Monday. He said the Divisional Police Officer for Badawa led a team of detectives to the scene, where the suspect was arrested and the knife used in the attack was recovered as an exhibit. The victim was rushed to Abubakar Imam Urology Hospital, where he is currently receiving medical treatment for his injuries. Kiyawa added that detectives have begun a full investigation into the incident, and the […]
Students, others feared dead as 3-storey hostel collapses in Anambra
The building, identified as Elite Five Star Lodge and located beside Tonimas Filling Station, reportedly caved in late Sunday night, trapping several occupants beneath the rubble. Rescue workers and a joint security team were still on the scene as efforts continued to save those trapped and recover victims. Some injured persons had already been rescued and taken to a hospital in the area, but the exact number of casualties had not been confirmed at the time of the report. Authorities said the operation was ongoing and urged calm as emergency responders worked through the debris. The collapse has sparked fresh concern over building safety and enforcement of construction standards in student-dominated areas of Anambra State.
DHQ, ICRC begin training to identify soldiers killed in combat
The week-long Battlefield Mortuary Affairs Programme began on Monday at the Nigerian Air Force Base in Kaduna and will run from July 27 to August 1. Participants were drawn from the Nigerian Army, Navy and Air Force, with the training aimed at strengthening the military’s response to battlefield deaths and missing personnel. According to officials, the programme will equip soldiers with the knowledge and practical skills needed for personnel identification, search and recovery operations, mortuary collection points, respectful storage and transportation of human remains, temporary burials and cemetery creation. It will also expose participants to the humanitarian role of the ICRC and the legal framework guiding battlefield mortuary affairs, including international humanitarian law and Nigerian military doctrine. ICRC Forensic Manager Dr Habib El TaKach said the initiative grew out of engagements that began in Pretoria, South Africa, in 2024, and […]