The family of the late Bilyaminu Bello, who was murdered by his wife, Maryam Sanda, has condemned a man claiming to be Bilyaminu’s biological father for supporting her controversial presidential pardon.
Maryam Sanda, the daughter of a former Aso Savings Executive, was convicted and sentenced to death by hanging in January 2020 for the murder of her husband, Bilyaminu Bello, a nephew of former Peoples Democratic Party’s National Chairman, Alhaji Bello Haliru Mohammed.
The killing, which occurred in November 2017 during a domestic dispute in Abuja, sparked nationwide outrage and drew attention to issues of domestic violence and justice.
On October 11, she was included among 175 persons who received a presidential pardon following the approval of the National Council of State.
On Monday, October 12, a statement signed by Dr. Bello Mohammed on behalf of some relatives criticised the pardon, describing it as “the worst possible injustice any family could be made to go through.”
However, the father of the late Bilyaminu Bello, Alhaji Ahmed Bello Isa, in a joint press conference alongside the father of Maryam, Alhaji Garba Sanda, in Abuja on Tuesday, publicly accepted the clemency granted to his daughter-in-law, Maryam Sanda, by President Bola Tinubu, saying he has long forgiven her for the death of his son.
The elderly Bello said he welcomed the presidential pardon as “the will of God,” describing the release of Sanda as an act of mercy that would allow her to care for her two children.
“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,” he said.,
Bello disclosed that his appeal for mercy dated back to 2019, even before the court handed down 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 leniency for his daughter-in-law.
Also speaking, Alhaji Garba Sanda, expressed deep gratitude to Isa and his entire family for their rare act of compassion, describing it as “a true reflection of faith and forgiveness.”
He said, “Words cannot describe our appreciation to the Bello family for this gesture of mercy and reconciliation. We continue to pray that something positive may yet emerge from this regrettable tragedy, that our families may heal, and that these children will grow up knowing love from both sides of their family.”
Bilyaminu’s relatives condemn Bilyaminu’s father, says he’s absentee parent
However, some relatives of the late Bilyaminu Bello have condemned the father for supporting the presidential pardon granted to Maryam Sanda. The family described his action as shameful and accused him of being an absentee father.
One of the relatives, Hafiz Usman, in a Facebook post, expressed disbelief and anger at the man’s sudden reappearance. He wrote:
“Duniya budurwar wawa!! This would have been 🤣🤣 funny if not for the tragic circumstances it is related to. I’ve known Bilya all his life, and this photo attached to the news report is the first time in my forty-something years on this earth I’ve ever set eyes on the father. Enough said.”
A prominent journalist, Mahmud Jega, who is believed to be close to Bilyaminu’s family, also weighed in. In a piece published this week, he detailed the controversy surrounding the man’s emergence.
According to Jega, while Bilyaminu’s maternal relatives were protesting the pardon, a man claiming to be his biological father, Alhaji Ahmed Bello Isa, was presented to the press in Abuja by Maryam Sanda’s parents. Isa reportedly expressed gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for granting the pardon, saying he wanted Maryam to raise his grandchildren.
Jega wrote that Alhaji Ahmed Isa, a retired storekeeper in the old Sokoto State, met and married Bilyaminu’s mother in 1980 at the Women Teachers College, Bodinga, where she was a student.
He was never there’: Bilyaminu’s relatives accuse father of betrayal over Maryam Sanda’s presidential pardon
