Kaduna-based Islamic cleric Sheikh Ahmad Gumi has praised the presidential pardon granted to Maryam Sanda, describing it as an act of mercy aligned with Islamic teachings.

Sanda, sentenced to death in 2020 for killing her husband during a domestic dispute, had her sentence commuted to 12 years on “compassionate grounds” following public backlash against the initial pardon of her and 174 others.

Gumi emphasized that Sanda’s actions were not premeditated and highlighted her remorse, calling the pardon lawful and spiritually acceptable since the victim’s family had forgiven her. He noted that in Islam, mercy and forgiveness are valued over vengeance and that executing Sanda would not have resolved the situation.