Letter Showing Father-in-law Begging For Maryam Sanda’s Release Surfaces

A letter written by the biological father of the late Bilyaminu Bello, who was murdered by his wife, Maryam Sanda, in 2017 begging for her pardon has surfaced.

In the letters obtained by ThisDay, Bello Isa  called for the release of his daughter-in-law so she could look after her two young children.

Addressing a joint press conference in Abuja, alongside father of Maryam, Garba Sanda, Isa said he had been on a quiet quest to secure freedom for Maryam, who had been on death row since her sentencing for the murder of her husband.

It also emerged that Isa had previously written to both the then Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami (SAN), and the Commissioner of Police, (FCT) Command in 2019, to seek clemency for Maryam Sanda.

He also swore an affidavit at the FCT High Court on 21st June 2019, reaffirming his forgiveness and pleading that the prosecution be withdrawn.

Also in his letter dated 16th December 2024, titled “Request for Exercise of Prerogative of Mercy for My Daughter-in-Law, Maryam Sanda Sentenced to Death by Hanging,” Bello Isa wrote:“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.”

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