The Supreme Court has upheld the death sentence of Maryam Sanda, reversing the presidential clemency previously granted by President Bola Tinubu. Sanda was convicted of killing her husband, Bilyamin Bello, in 2017, and her original sentence of death by hanging was reinstated in a landmark judgment that resulted in a split decision among the court’s panel.

Sanda was first convicted on January 27, 2020, after an Abuja High Court found her guilty of stabbing Bello to death at their residence in Maitama. She had been serving time at the Suleja Correctional Centre for nearly seven years when President Tinubu granted her clemency, reducing her sentence to 12 years in prison. 

The Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), defended the president’s decision at the time, stating that the pardon was based on compassionate grounds, particularly considering her young children. He also mentioned her “good conduct, remorsefulness, and exemplary behavior” while in custody.

However, in a 4-1 majority decision, a five-member panel of the Supreme Court ruled that presidential clemency could not override a valid court judgment. The apex court dismissed Sanda’s appeal entirely, asserting that she failed to demonstrate that the trial court or the Court of Appeal had erred in their findings.

As a result of this ruling, the original death sentence by hanging remains in effect.