The Supreme Court on Friday delivered a surprising ruling, overturning President Bola Tinubu’s pardon and reinstating the death sentence on Maryam Sanda, the woman convicted of killing her husband, Bilyamin Bello, in 2017.
Sanda, who was sentenced to death by hanging on January 27, 2020, by an Abuja High Court, had been serving time at the Suleja Prison for more than six years when relief seemed to arrive. President Tinubu slashed her punishment to 12 years, citing mercy and the welfare of her children.
According to the Attorney-General of the Federation, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, her clemency was based on “compassionate ground and in the best interest of the children,” noting her “good conduct, embraced new lifestyle, model to prisoners and remorsefulness.”
In a dramatic 4–1 split decision, the apex court ruled that the original death sentence must stand, dismissing her appeal as baseless.
Justice Moore Adumein, who delivered the lead judgment, said the prosecution proved its case beyond reasonable doubt and that the appellate court’s affirmation of the conviction was rock-solid.
The justices further ruled that President Tinubu acted improperly by issuing a pardon “over a case of culpable homicide, in respect of which an appeal was pending.”
