The father of the late Bilyaminu Bello, Alhaji Ahmed Bello Isa, has publicly accepted the clemency granted to his daughter-in-law, Maryam Sanda, by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Speaking at a press conference in Abuja, Alhaji Bello said he had “long forgiven” Sanda for the death of his son and welcomed her release as “the will of God.”

“I am happy that the father of the nation has released Maryam so she can look after her children,” he said. “Vengeance cannot bring back my son, but forgiveness can bring peace.”

He revealed that he had sought mercy for Sanda since 2019, writing letters to government officials appealing for leniency.

Sanda was sentenced to death in 2020 for killing her husband in 2017 during a domestic dispute — a case that sparked national attention on domestic violence and justice in Nigeria.