Supreme Court Nullifies Tinubu’s Pardon, Reinstates Death Sentence on Maryam Sanda

The Supreme Court has set aside the presidential pardon earlier granted by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to Maryam Sanda, who was convicted for the killing of her husband, Bilyaminu Bello, during a domestic altercation in Abuja.

Sanda was sentenced to death by hanging in 2020 by an FCT High Court, a verdict later upheld by the Court of Appeal.

In a landmark 4–1 decision delivered on Friday, the Supreme Court restored the original death sentence, dismissing Sanda’s appeal as lacking merit.

Justice Moore Adumein, who read the lead judgment, affirmed that the prosecution had proven its case beyond reasonable doubt and that the Court of Appeal acted rightly in sustaining the trial court’s verdict.

The apex court resolved all issues raised by Sanda against her, thereby voiding the presidential pardon and reinstating the death penalty.