The biological father of the late Bilyaminu Bello, who was murdered by his wife, Maryam Sanda, in 2017, has commended the pardon of his daughter-in-law by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
According to him, 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.
Alhaji Ahmed Bello Isa, who made these revelations in a joint interview conducted on Tuesday in Abuja with Alhaji Garba Sanda, father of Maryam, stated that his motivation was purely humanitarian, and that he wanted his daughter-in-law released so she could look after her two young children, and that executing her would not bring back his son.
He explained that, “as a devout Muslim, I had long accepted the tragic incident which has been a subject of public discussion, choosing to forgive and leave judgment to Allah.
“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..
“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,” he said
Asked about the statement by the family who expressed concerns over the Presidential pardon, he said “Anyone has the freedom in his family to express himself but as the biological father, he has forgiven her,’”
Also speaking, Alhaji Garba Sanda, father of Maryam, expressed deep gratitude to Alhaji Bello 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.”
The two families, stated that they have chosen forgiveness, compassion, and faith over pain, and have committed to working together to raise the children in an atmosphere of peace and love.