Supreme court affirms Maryam Sanda’s death sentence — months after presidential pardon controversy

The supreme court has affirmed the death sentence handed to Maryam Sanda, over the murder of Bilyamin Mohammed Bello, her husband.

In a split judgment of four-to-one delivered on Friday, the apex court held that the court of appeal was right to uphold the decision of the trial judge in the case.

Moore Adumein, the judge who read the lead judgment, ruled that the prosecution proved the case beyond reasonable doubt at the trial court.

Adumein ruled that the court of appeal did not err by affirming the conviction and death sentence.

The judge faulted the clemency granted to Sanda by President Bola Tinubu, adding that it is wrong to give pardon when an appeal is pending.

BACKGROUND

The federal government had arraigned Sanda and three others on a two-count charge bordering on culpable homicide.

She was convicted and sentenced to death by hanging on January 27, 2020, by Yusuf Halilu, the trial judge, at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) high court.

Displeased by the judgment, she approached the appellate court.

In December 2020, the appeal court affirmed the death sentence.

In October, Sanda was among 175 persons granted presidential pardon following approval of the national council of state.

In the wake of public outcry, however, the presidential pardon was revoked, with her death sentence reduced to 12 years.

The federal government had said Sanda’s death sentence was reduced “based on compassionate grounds, in the best interest of the children and good conduct, embraced new lifestyle, model prisoner, and remorsefulness”.