Maryam Sanda Biography :Early life and Family,Controversies,Presidential Pardon.

Maryam Sanda is a Nigerian woman who became widely known for being convicted of the murder of her husband, Bilyaminu Bello, in 2017

. After years of legal proceedings, she was granted a presidential pardon in October 2025.

Early life and family

Sanda is the daughter of Maimuna Aliyu, a former executive director of Aso Savings Bank.
She was married to Bilyaminu Bello, the son of former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Chairman, Haliru Bello.
The couple had two children together.

In November 2017, Sanda allegedly stabbed her husband to death during a domestic dispute at their Abuja home.
Reports indicate the fight was prompted by an alleged infidelity on Bello’s part.
During her trial, Sanda pleaded not guilty and claimed her husband died after falling on a broken shisha pot during their argument.
The case drew significant national attention and underwent several appeals.
In January 2020, an FCT High Court found her guilty of culpable homicide and sentenced her to death by hanging.
The judgment was upheld by the Court of Appeal in December 2020.

In October 2025, President Bola Tinubu granted Sanda a presidential pardon after she had served six years and eight months at the Suleja Medium Security Custodial Centre.
According to a presidential spokesperson, the pardon was granted on the basis of a plea from Sanda’s family, her good conduct in jail, remorse, and the best interest of her two children.
The pardon has been met with mixed reactions from the public.