The initial pardon, granted on October 9, 2025, included 175 convicts but faced fierce criticism from victims’ families and human rights groups. A subsequent review led to the exclusion of serious offenders, with Sanda’s clemency downgraded to a reduced sentence. A typographical error in the official gazette listed her as "Maryam Sunda," later corrected.
Senior lawyers defended Tinubu’s actions, stating the 1999 Constitution grants him absolute discretion to grant or revoke pardons. Mohammed Ndarani, SAN, dismissed complaints as "unjustified," while Abdul Balogun, SAN, emphasized that the review was legally sound.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar condemned the reversal, calling it a "shameful U-turn." His aide, Phrank Shaibu, accused the government of governing by "trial and error," demanding transparency in the pardon process.
Tinubu directed the relocation of the Prerogative of Mercy Secretariat to the Justice Ministry and ordered future clemency exercises to involve prosecuting agencies. The Presidency reaffirmed its commitment to balancing justice with mercy, stating, "Mercy must never undermine justice."