Speaking at a joint press conference in Abuja alongside Alhaji Garba Sanda, father of Maryam, Alhaji Bello Isa described the development as the fulfilment of his long-standing quest to secure Maryam’s release, saying his motivation was driven purely by humanitarian reasons and his faith in Allah.
He disclosed that he had consistently sought clemency for Maryam, who had been on death row since her 2020 conviction, explaining that executing her would not bring back his son but would only deepen the pain of their two children.
“There is nothing more painful than losing a son in the way I lost mine,” he said. “But what gives me comfort is that he left behind two beautiful children — my granddaughter, Sa’adatu Bilyaminu, and my grandson, Bilyaminu Bilyaminu. I have forgiven Maryam. I pleaded with the Police and the Court not to prosecute her because I did not want my grandchildren, who had already lost their father, to also lose their mother.”
Alhaji Bello Isa revealed that he first wrote to the FCT Commissioner of Police on January 17, 2019, requesting that the murder charge against Maryam be withdrawn “so that my son’s soul could rest in peace according to Islamic injunction.” He later swore an affidavit at the FCT High Court on June 21, 2019, reaffirming his forgiveness and appeal for the prosecution to be discontinued.
Although his earlier pleas to former Attorney-General Abubakar Malami (SAN) went unanswered, his request was eventually granted under President Tinubu’s recent exercise of the Presidential Prerogative of Mercy. A letter obtained by Arise News, dated December 16, 2024, showed his latest formal appeal titled “Request for Exercise of Prerogative of Mercy for My Daughter-in-Law, Maryam Sanda Sentenced to Death by Hanging.”
The bereaved father said he had chosen forgiveness over vengeance in line with his faith:
“I have taken what happened to my son as the will of Almighty Allah. I do not blame Maryam for it. Now that she has been sentenced to death, I beg in the name of Allah for mercy. If she is killed, who will care for her children? They will grow up as orphans — without a father and without their mother’s love.”
He described the situation of the two children, who had only been allowed occasional visits to their mother at the Suleja Correctional Facility, as “heartbreaking.”
Responding to reports that some family members disapproved of his forgiveness, Alhaji Bello Isa said he understood that emotions differed but insisted that forgiveness was the right path for peace and healing.
“Vengeance cannot bring back my son. But forgiveness can bring peace — to my family, to hers, and to the children who must not continue to suffer.”
In his remarks, Alhaji Garba Sanda, father of Maryam, expressed profound gratitude to the Bello family for their compassion, describing it as a reflection of true faith and humanity.
“Words cannot describe our appreciation to the Bello family for this gesture of mercy and reconciliation. We continue to pray that something positive may emerge from this tragedy, that both families may heal, and that the children will grow up surrounded by love from both sides.”
Both families concluded by affirming their shared commitment to forgiveness, compassion, and unity — vowing to raise the late Bilyaminu’s children in an atmosphere of peace and mutual respect.
