By Nchetachi Chukwuajah
In what appears to be a turn of events, Alhaji Ahmed Bello Isa, the father of the late Bilyaminu Bello, says he has long forgiven Maryam Sanda, his son’s wife, who was convicted in 2020 for his murder.
During a press conference in Abuja on Tuesday, October 14, Alhaji Isa said he had accepted the pardon granted to his daughter-in-law by President Bola Tinubu.
He also dissociated himself from a letter purportedly by his family which kicked against the president’s pardon of Maryam Sanda, saying it did not represent his views.
At the press conference, Alhaji Isa said the pardon is “the will of God,” describing the release of Sanda as an act of mercy that would allow her to care for her two children.
He said, “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.”
Alhaji Isa noted that he has been appealing for Sanda’s pardon since 2019, even before the death sentence.
He said he had written multiple letters to authorities, including the then Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, and the Commissioner of Police in the Federal Capital Territory, seeking clemency for his daughter-in-law.
Recall that on Monday, October 13, Bilyaminu Bello’s family issued a statement signed by Dr Bello Mohammed on behalf of some relatives which condemned the presidential pardon, describing it as “the worst possible injustice any family could be made to go through.”
In his reaction, however, Bilyaminu Bello’s father dismissed the statement, saying he has chosen forgiveness for the sake of peace.
He said, “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.”
Maryam Sanda was convicted for killing her husband in November 2017and sentenced to death by hanging on January 27, 2020, following a ruling by Justice Yusuf Halilu of the FCT High Court in Abuja after over two years of trial.
Her legal team later filed an appeal on 20 grounds, questioning the evidence and alleging bias in her conviction, but the Court of Appeal dismissed her appeal on December 3, 2020, affirming the conviction and death sentence.
