In a landmark decision delivered on Friday, the Supreme Court reinstated the death sentence for Maryam Sanda.
This ruling effectively nullifies a recent presidential intervention that had reduced her punishment.
Sanda is the daughter-in-law of a former National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). In January 2020, an Abuja High Court convicted her for killing her husband, Bilyamin Bello.
The court found her guilty of fatally stabbing him at their Maitama residence in 2017. Consequently, the judge sentenced her to death by hanging.
The Presidential Pardon Controversy
Prior to the Supreme Court ruling, Sanda spent approximately six years and eight months at the Suleja Correctional Centre.
In a controversial move, President Bola Tinubu recently granted her clemency. He commuted the capital punishment to a 12-year prison term.
The Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), defended the decision. He argued that the President granted clemency on “compassionate grounds and in the best interest of the children.”
Fagbemi cited Sanda’s “good conduct, new lifestyle, model behaviour, and remorsefulness” as justification for the leniency.
Judiciary Asserts Authority
However, the Supreme Court rejected this intervention.
In a split decision of four to one, the five-member panel ruled against the Executive. They stated that the President acted inappropriately by granting clemency in a homicide case while a judicial appeal was still pending.
Justice Moore Adumein delivered the lead judgment. He held that the executive arm of government cannot preempt the judicial process.
The apex court dismissed Sanda’s appeal in its entirety. It ruled that she failed to demonstrate any error in the findings of the lower courts.
Justice Adumein affirmed two key points:
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The prosecution proved the charge beyond reasonable doubt.
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The Court of Appeal was correct to uphold the initial conviction.
Final Verdict
With this ruling, the Supreme Court has set aside the presidential commutation. The original judgment stands. Maryam Sanda remains sentenced to death by hanging.
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