Islamic Cleric Ahmad Gumi Backs Clemency for Maryam Sanda, Calls Fatal Act ‘Work of Shaytan’

Controversial Islamic cleric, Ahmad Gumi, has publicly voiced his support for the clemency granted to Maryam Sanda, who was convicted and sentenced to death for the 2017 murder of her husband, Bilyaminu Bello. Gumi argued that the reduction of her sentence to a 12-year term is “the best way to go” and aligned with principles of forgiveness in Islamic law.

Dependable NG reports that Gumi’s comments followed a period of intense public controversy surrounding the initial presidential pardon granted to Sanda and 174 other convicts. The pardon was initially revoked by President Tinubu, through his media aide Bayo Onanuga, following widespread public outrage over the inclusion of individuals convicted for serious crimes such as murder and drug trafficking. However, Sanda’s punishment was subsequently reduced to 12 years in prison on “compassionate grounds in the interest of the children.”

Reacting via a post on Facebook, Gumi attributed Sanda’s immediate remorsefulness following the killing to the influence of the devil. “They said she stabbed him, then broke down crying over his body. Do you understand? That is the work of Shaytan,” the cleric stated. He suggested that critics speaking against the clemency were doing so “without knowledge,” failing to understand the legal and spiritual rulings of forgiveness in Islamic law.

Gumi explained that the act of forgiveness previously granted by the victim’s family, particularly the late Bilyaminu Bello’s father, was not only lawful but spiritually superior. He cited the family’s statement that, “We have forgiven her. May Allah protect us all. Ameen.” The Islamic scholar further explained that in Islam, when the family of the victim chooses to forgive, this is considered an act of mercy, adding that “mercy is more beloved to Allah than vengeance.” Gumi concluded his statement by firmly asserting that “Maryam Sanda’s execution would not have been the right solution. The presidential pardon she received was the correct one. In Islam, justice is not driven by anger, but by balance and compassion.”