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News Analysis: Presidential Pardon: A Value of Mercy or A Caricature of Justice

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By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

On October 11, 2025, President Bola Ahmad Tinubu granted clemency on 175 prisoners across the country. In the list was the infamous Maryam Sanda, whom was convicted to death by hanging in 2020 for killing her husband, Bilyaminu Bello, in 2017.

The announcement came as a shock to many Nigerians, and as such contributed to a wide range of intense debate on the social media space. While some, particularly the media aides, argued that the president has the power in abundance to pardon any offender if found remorseful and ready to turn a new leave, the rest of the citizens maintained that it’s a stain, or rather a mockery of the law for the president to pardon such culprits; conversely making culprits believing that a presidential pardon is enough for any crime they commit, thereby leaving the offended at the receiving end with hurt.

The latter set of the netizens are particularly worried that such cases, if not duly executed as judged by the court in order to serve as a deterrent to others who might have been harbouring such evil in their minds, will give room to onward domestic violence.

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Constitutionally, the president affirmatively has enormous power to pardon offenders of their crimes, but with the condition that they are found remorseful of their crimes and ready for a better change from their previous lives. Not only that, they’re also limitations to the nature of crimes the president can pardon. From crimes of sexual assault, fraud, murder, drug trafficking and all others, it’s only the ones recognized and filed at the federal level that can be pardoned by the president. All these are duly outlined in section 175 of the Nigerian 1999 constitution.

In the case of Maryam Sanda, whom was sentenced to death by hanging, there are reports that she has been filing for appeal of the judgment; reason why she had spent six years and some months in the prison. For someone who couldn’t secure an appeal against her death sentence judgement from any court of jurisdiction in six years, that speaks a lot of how heinous her crime is.

The pertinent questions are:

1. A value of mercy or a caricature of justice: which, between the two, was demonstrated by the president?

2. Should Maryam Sanda be granted freedom?

3. Even if she is now remorseful, after deliberately terminating the life of Bilyaminu Bello, should she be executed as judged in order to serve as an example to others?

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Arewa Rents Charts a Digital Future for Northern Nigeria’s Property Market”

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Arewarents.com, a property marketplace startup focused on Northern Nigeria, is positioning itself to transform how people rent, buy, and access short-let properties across the region through technology and innovation.

The startup pitched its idea today at the first Kano Startup Weekend, an event organized by the Kano State Information and Communication Technology Development Agency (KASITDA). The event brought together startups, investors, mentors, and ecosystem leaders to showcase emerging solutions addressing real market challenges.

At the pitch, Arewa Rents presented its vision of building a centralized digital platform for property rentals, sales, and short-lets, designed specifically for the Northern Nigerian market. According to the Founder of Arewa Rents, Anas Y. Yusuf, the goal is to “create a single trusted platform where people can easily find verified properties without relying on scattered and unreliable sources.”

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Northern Nigeria’s real estate market remains largely informal, with property listings scattered across social media, local agents, and offline networks. This fragmentation creates inefficiencies, limits visibility for property owners and agents, and makes it difficult for renters and buyers to access verified properties in one trusted place.

Addressing this gap, Anas Y. Yusuf noted that Arewa Rents is “leveraging technology to bring structure, transparency, and trust into the property market, while making it easier for agents and landlords to reach serious clients.”

Arewa Rents is developing a technology-driven property marketplace that aggregates verified listings for homes, apartments, shops, and short-stay properties. The platform is designed to connect renters, buyers, agents, developers, and landlords more efficiently, while improving transparency in property transactions.

As the startup continues to build and scale its platform, Anas Y. Yusuf emphasized that the long-term mission is “to make property renting, buying, and short-let access in Northern Nigeria more efficient and accessible through a trusted digital marketplace.”

With its regional focus and marketplace-driven approach, Arewa Rents is emerging as a startup positioned to play a key role in the digital transformation of Northern Nigeria’s real estate sector.

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News Analysis: Wike in the Wilderness as Fubara Dines with the APC

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By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

On Friday, December 12, 2025, the Rivers State governor, Siminalayi Fubara, was issued the membership card of the ruling All Progressives Congress(APC).

The party’s membership card issuance took place at the Rivers State government house, and it marks the official transitioning of governor Fubara to the fold of the ruling party, APC.

Speaking during the officiating, governor Fubara expressed joy, stating that President Tinubu’s vision will now be shared with the state.

“To everything under the sun, there is a time and season and I am happy today that I formally obtained the membership card of the APC.

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This primarily, is to align our dear state with the ruling party at the centre, with a firm belief in Mr President and the Renewed Hope Agenda to rapidly contribute to the growth, stability and development of Rivers State,” Fubara said.

The sudden and shocking defection of governor Fubara from the PDP to APC has been one of the top trending national discourse recently.

Netizens have proclaimed the “use and dump” tactics on Wike, saying that the presidency no longer see value in him.

Unverified reports have it that the FCT Minister might not make it to the next administration of President Tinubu if he gets re-elected since they’re now with governor Fubara, who commands the leadership of APC in the State now.

Also, rumors have it that Wike tried all he could to sabotage the defection of governor Fubara into the All Progressives Congress, but all to no avail.

Consequently, people have been inquisitive:

1. Will Wike now Join APC in order to wield state supremacy?
2. Will he work for or against the very APC he worked for during 2023 presidential election?
3. If he doesn’t join the APC, will 2027 be the end of his political relevance?

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FG Bans New SS3 Admissions Nationwide to Fight Exam Malpractice

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By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

 

The Federal Government has announced a nationwide ban on the admission and transfer of students into Senior Secondary School Three (SS3) in both public and private secondary schools, effective from the 2026/27 academic session.

The directive was disclosed in a statement signed by Boriowo Folasade, Director of Press and Public Relations at the Federal Ministry of Education, as part of efforts to curb examination malpractice and restore credibility to Nigeria’s education system.

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According to the ministry, the decision follows growing concerns over widespread examination malpractices, including the use of so-called special centres during external examinations. Under the new policy, student admissions and transfers will be permitted only into Senior Secondary School One (SS1) and Senior Secondary School Two (SS2).

“Admission or transfer into SS3 will no longer be permitted under any circumstance,” the ministry stated.

Officials explained that the measure is intended to prevent last-minute movement of students for examination advantages, ensure proper academic monitoring, and promote continuity in teaching and learning.

School proprietors, principals, and administrators across the country have been directed to comply strictly with the policy, with the ministry warning that violations will attract sanctions in line with existing education regulations.

The statement reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to upholding academic standards, promoting fairness, and restoring confidence in public examinations nationwide.

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