The father of the late Bilyaminu Bello, who was murdered by his wife, Maryam Sanda, in 2017, expressed joy on Wednesday, Oct. 14, over the pardon granted to his daughter-in-law by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

In an unexpected turn of events, Bello's father said he had been making attempts behind the scene to secure freedom for Maryam, who had been on death row since her sentencing for the murder of her husband.

Speaking at a joint press conference with Alhaji Garba Sanda, father of Maryam, Alhaji Ahmed Bello Isa stated that his motivation was purely humanitarian, and that he wanted his daughter-in-law released so she could look after her two young children, and that executing her would not bring back his son.

He explained that, as a devout Muslim, he had long accepted the tragic incident which has been a subject of public discussion, choosing to forgive and leave judgment to Allah.

He said he had previously written to both the then Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), and the Commissioner of Police, FCT Command in 2019, to seek clemency for Maryam Sanda.

Although those early appeals went unanswered, the recent pardon granted by President Tinubu under the Presidential Prerogative of Mercy finally brought his request to fruition.

One letter he wrote seeking pardon for Maryam is dated December 16, 2024, and titled “Request for Exercise of Prerogative of Mercy for My Daughter-in-Law, Maryam Sanda Sentenced to Death by Hanging."

Bello Isa wrote in the letter: “There is nothing more painful than for someone to lose a son in the way I lost my son, Bilyaminu.

“However, what gives me some measure of comfort is that he left behind two beautiful children, my granddaughter, Sa’adatu Bilyaminu, and my grandson, Bilyaminu Bilyaminu, named after his father.

“I have forgiven Maryam who was found guilty of killing my son. Before the end of the trial, I made every effort to let both the Police and the Court know that I did not want her prosecuted, because I did not want a situation where my grandchildren, who had lost their father so tragically, would also lose their mother.”

He said, “I have taken it as the will of Almighty Allah, what happened to my son, and I do not blame Maryam for it. However, now that she has been sentenced to death, I beg in the name of Almighty Allah for mercy. If she is killed, who will take care of her two children? They will grow up as orphans, without a father or a mother’s love.”

The grieving father emphasised that since the 2020 judgment, the children had only been able to see and bond with their mother during occasional visits to the Suleja Correctional Facility, a situation he described as “heartbreaking for innocent children.”

He confirmed reports that some family members objected to his forgiveness and petition for clemency, saying he understood that people would hold different opinions on such a sensitive matter, but as both a father and a Muslim, he believes this was the best course of action for peace and humanity.

Also speaking, Alhaji Garba Sanda, father of Maryam, expressed deep gratitude to Alhaji Bello and his entire family for their rare act of compassion, describing it as “a true reflection of faith and forgiveness.

The two families further declared that they had chosen forgiveness, compassion, and faith over pain, and had committed to working together to raise the children in an atmosphere of peace and love.