The Supreme Court has reaffirmed the death sentence imposed on Maryam Sanda for the killing of her husband, Bilyamin Bello, in 2017. Sanda is the daughter-in-law of a former national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Court Rejects Appeal in 4–1 Decision
In a 4–1 judgment, a five-member panel of justices dismissed her appeal. According to the court, her lawyers failed to present compelling arguments strong enough to overturn her conviction.
Justice Moore Adumein, who read the lead judgment, said the prosecution proved the case beyond reasonable doubt. He added that the Court of Appeal acted correctly when it upheld the trial court’s ruling.
Supreme Court Warns Against Executive Interference
The justices also noted that it would have been improper for President Bola Tinubu to exercise pardon powers while the case was still active before the courts. They stressed that such interference could undermine the judicial process.
Background of the Case
Sanda was first sentenced to death by hanging on January 27, 2020, after the trial court found her guilty of stabbing her husband during a domestic dispute at their home in Abuja. She spent almost seven years in Suleja Prison while her appeals progressed through the courts.
Tinubu Reduces Sentence Despite Court Ruling
Despite the Supreme Court’s affirmation, President Tinubu later approved executive clemency that reduced her sentence to 12 years. Attorney General Lateef Fagbemi (SAN) explained that the decision was taken on compassionate grounds, especially for the sake of her children.
He added that Sanda’s demonstrated remorse, good conduct and efforts toward rehabilitation also influenced the clemency.
