Onoh Calls on Tinubu to Withdraw Clemency for Maryam Sanda, Drug Convicts

President Bola Tinubu’s South East spokesperson, Dr. Josef Onoh, has appealed to the President to reverse the recent pardon granted to several convicted persons, including Maryam Sanda and some drug offenders.

The President had earlier approved clemency for 175 individuals based on the recommendations of the Presidential Advisory Committee on the Prerogative of Mercy.

Those pardoned included foreigners, drug traffickers, and capital offenders such as Maryam Sanda, who was sentenced to death in 2020 for killing her husband, Bilyaminu Bello, during a domestic dispute.Onoh described the decision as a wrong move that could damage the moral image of the administration both locally and internationally.

He said the act of granting freedom to convicts who committed grave crimes could weaken the justice system and create doubt about Nigeria’s commitment to fairness.

He argued that releasing individuals convicted of drug-related offenses could discourage law enforcement officers who risked their lives to ensure those convictions.

According to him, such actions could send the wrong message to the public, especially to the youth, about the seriousness of crime and punishment.

Onoh further stated that freeing convicted drug traffickers could affect Nigeria’s reputation before international partners like the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), which supports the country’s efforts against drug abuse and trafficking.

He urged the President to review the decision transparently, stating that reversing the pardons would restore public confidence, strengthen the morale of security agencies, and show that the government stands for justice and accountability.

Onoh maintained that every act of mercy should reflect moral integrity and fairness, insisting that the country’s justice system must always protect victims and promote discipline among citizens.