Maryam Sanda: A Comprehensive Biography
Early Life and Family Background
Maryam Sanda was born in 1988 into a prominent Muslim family in Abuja, Nigeria. Her mother, Maimuna Aliyu, was an executive director at Aso Savings and Loans, placing the family among the elite in Northern Nigeria. Maryam’s upbringing was marked by privilege, with access to quality education and a comfortable lifestyle in the upscale Maitama area of Abuja. Her father’s details are less public, but the family’s status came mostly from her mother’s career.
To Bilyaminu Bello, marriage
Bilyaminu Muhammed Bello, the son of Haliru Bello, a former National Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), and Maryam were married in 2015. Together, the couple has two kids. Initially viewed as a union of affluence, their marriage started to fall apart in November 2017 after a domestic argument.
The Event and Court Cases
During a fight at their Abuja home on November 19, 2017, Maryam Sanda fatally stabbed her husband. It was stated that accusations of infidelity led to the altercation. Maryam was taken into custody and accused of culpable homicide.
In January 2020, after a prolonged trial, the Federal Capital Territory High Court found Maryam Sanda guilty of murder and sentenced her to death by hanging. The court determined that she had intentionally killed her husband with a kitchen knife, and the prosecution had proven its case beyond a reasonable doubt. Premium Times
Presidential Pardon and Release
In October 2025, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu granted Maryam Sanda a presidential pardon, along with 174 other convicts. The decision was influenced by pleas from her family, who argued that freeing her was in the best interest of her two children. Additionally, her good conduct in custody and her remorseful attitude contributed to the clemency.
Public Response and Consequences
Reactions to Maryam Sanda’s release were not uniform throughout Nigeria. Some, especially the deceased’s family, voiced displeasure, while others saw it as a chance for rehabilitation and family reunion. The family of Bilyaminu Bello claimed that her release violated the sanctity of life and the legal system, calling it a serious injustice.
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Lessons and Legacy
The Maryam Sanda case is a powerful reminder of the difficulties of navigating family dynamics, the legal system, and cultural norms. It emphasizes how crucial it is to deal with marital problems, including adultery, trust, and communication, as well as the necessity of a justice system that strikes a balance between accountability and compassion.