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…Says he holds no grudges
From Adanna Nnamani, Abuja
Ahmed Bello Isa, the biological father of late Bilyaminu Bello, who was murdered by his wife, Maryam Sanda, in 2017, has expressed his happiness over the recent pardon granted to her by President Bola Tinubu.
Speaking Tuesday during a press briefing in Abuja, alongside Maryam’s father, Garba Sanda, Isa disclosed that he had long accepted the tragic death of his son as the will of Allah and had made continuous appeals for clemency, beginning even before Maryam’s conviction in 2020.
“I’m the biological father of late Bilyaminu Bello. I accept the will of God as it comes from God. We as Muslims, we always accept what God has done, whether nice or bad, we accept it. Will of God, nobody can deny it. We have to accept it with two hands,” he said.
He added: “All we pray is that may his soul rest in peace. I’m happy the Federal Government has released Maryam in order to come and look after her two children. So, to me, I do not have any grudges with the Federal Government or the family of Maryam Sanda or any other relatives.”
Maryam Sanda had been sentenced to death by hanging for the murder of her husband, a case that gained national attention. However, unknown to many, Isa had since 2019 written multiple letters to the police, the Attorney-General of the Federation, and other authorities, asking for the case to be discontinued and expressing his forgiveness.
One such letter dated January 17, 2019, stated clearly that he had forgiven Maryam and appealed that charges be withdrawn in line with Islamic principles.
Responding to questions regarding conflicting reports that some members of the slain husband’s family saw the pardon as an injustice, Isa maintained that people are entitled to their opinions, but he stands by his actions.
“You know, you cannot prevent anybody from saying his mind. You can take a horse to the river, but you cannot force it to drink water. But to me, as the father, I have no grudges. I leave everything to God,” he said
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He further clarified that his decision was not influenced by recent events or public pressure, but was based on long-standing efforts he had made even before Maryam’s trial.
Also speaking during the joint interview, Garba Sanda, father of Maryam Sanda, praised the rare compassion shown by the Bello family.
He also confirmed that the two families have maintained a peaceful and respectful relationship since the tragic event.
“By my right is Alhaji Ahmed Bello, the biological father to Bilyaminu Bello. I sincerely appreciate his understanding and effort. When this happened, we have been together.
“By the grace of God, since 2019, he wrote to the Commissioner of Police and the Attorney-General that he did not want his daughter-in-law to be prosecuted. There was even a court affidavit attached to that.
“We are one family. We have been discussing. He goes to my house, we visit each other. Every three months, he normally visits the kids,” he stated.
The fathers thanked President Tinubu and the National Council of State for the decision to grant Maryam Sanda a presidential pardon.
“We are most grateful to Almighty Allah for making this day a reality. Thank you to Mr. President and the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” Sanda said.
Copies of official records including letters, affidavits, and petitions that date back to 2019, supporting their plea for clemency documents were made available to the press.
