Supreme Court on Friday set aside the presidential pardon previously granted to Abuja housewife Maryam Sanda and reinstated the death sentence imposed on her by lower courts.
Sanda was convicted in 2020 and sentenced to death by hanging for the killing of her husband, Bilyaminu Bello, during a domestic dispute.
Delivering the lead judgment, Justice Moore Adumein stated that the prosecution had established its case “beyond reasonable doubt,” noting that the Court of Appeal acted correctly in affirming the trial court’s ruling. He added that the Executive erred in attempting to issue a pardon in a homicide case that was still undergoing judicial review.
The apex court dismissed Sanda’s appeal, describing it as lacking merit, and in a four-to-one split decision, upheld the death sentence earlier confirmed by the Court of Appeal.
The appellate court had maintained the verdict of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), which sentenced her to death by hanging.
President Bola Tinubu had recently reduced Sanda’s punishment to 12 years’ imprisonment on compassionate grounds.
Never miss a moment! Get the stories shaping Nigeria, delivered straight to your phone. Follow Peoplesdaily Newspaper on WhatsApp for breaking news, exclusive reports, and the headlines everyone will be talking about, before anyone else.
