By Erewunmi Peace

The fate of convicted murderer Maryam Sanda, who was reportedly listed among those granted presidential clemency by President Bola Tinubu, remains uncertain as the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice has ordered a comprehensive review of the pardon list.

Sanda, who was sentenced to death by hanging in 2020 for the murder of her husband, Bilyaminu Bello, was named among over 4,000 inmates said to have been recommended for state pardon by the Presidential Advisory Committee on Prerogative of Mercy.

However, the AGF’s office clarified that no inmate has been officially released under the new clemency order, noting that the list is currently undergoing multi-agency verification to ensure due process, authenticity, and compliance with established guidelines.

In a statement released this week, the Ministry of Justice explained that the review aims to confirm the eligibility of each beneficiary and prevent potential manipulation of the clemency process.

“The presidential approval does not translate to automatic release. There will be further scrutiny involving relevant agencies before implementation,” an official source at the ministry said.

This clarification follows widespread public backlash and misinformation across social media suggesting that Maryam Sanda had already regained her freedom.

Legal experts have commended the AGF’s decision to conduct a thorough review, stressing that the clemency process must not undermine the credibility of Nigeria’s justice system.

As of press time, Maryam Sanda remains in custody, pending the conclusion of the government’s verification and the issuance of formal release orders.