Kaduna-based Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, has publicly defended the decision to commute the death sentence of Maryam Sanda, who was convicted for the murder of her husband.
Sanda was originally sentenced to death in 2020. While a presidential pardon was initially revoked after public outcry, her sentence was later commuted to 12 years in prison on compassionate grounds.
In a recent statement, Sheikh Gumi framed the act of mercy as consistent with Islamic principles. He suggested the crime was influenced by “the devil” and not premeditated. Gumi emphasized that the forgiveness offered by the victim’s family is both lawful and a spiritually virtuous act in Islam.
“In Islam, when the family of the victim forgives, it is not a weakness, it is mercy. And mercy is more beloved to Allah than vengeance,” the cleric stated.
His comments come amid ongoing national debate, offering a religious perspective that values compassion over vengeance in the administration of justice.
