The Supreme Court on Friday upheld the death sentence imposed on Maryam Sanda, daughter-in-law of a former PDP national chairman, after finding her guilty of killing her husband, Bilyamin Bello.
Sanda was convicted by an Abuja High Court on January 27, 2020, for fatally stabbing Bello at their home in 2017. She was sentenced to death by hanging.
Although she had already spent nearly seven years in Suleja Prison, President Bola Tinubu had earlier reduced her sentence to 12 years, citing compassionate grounds.
According to the Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, the clemency was motivated by her good conduct in prison, her remorse, and considerations for the wellbeing of her children.
However, in a 4–1 split decision, a five-member Supreme Court panel reinstated the original death sentence. The justices dismissed Sanda’s appeal, ruling that the prosecution had proven its case beyond reasonable doubt.
Delivering the lead judgement, Justice Moore Adumein affirmed that both the trial court and the Court of Appeal reached sound and defensible decisions.
The apex court further held that President Tinubu lacked the authority to grant a pardon in a homicide case still undergoing judicial review.
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