The Supreme Court has nullified President Bola Tinubu’s pardon of Maryam Sanda and reinstated the death sentence she received for the k!lling of her husband, Bilyaminu Bello.
Sanda was convicted in 2020 after the FCT High Court found her guilty of stabbing Bello during a domestic altercation. While her conviction was upheld by the Court of Appeal, President Tinubu later reduced the sentence to 12 years in prison.
However, in a 4–1 judgment delivered on Friday, the Supreme Court ruled that the pardon could not stand. The court affirmed the original death sentence and threw out Sanda’s appeal, declaring that she failed to raise any valid grounds capable of overturning the conviction.
Justice Moore Adumein, who read the lead judgment, said the prosecution presented a compelling case that met the standard of proof required in criminal trials. He added that it was improper for the Executive to interfere in a case still undergoing judicial review, especially one involving culpable homicide.
