By THE Supreme Court of Nigeria has upheld the death sentence handed to Maryam Sanda, who was convicted of killing her husband, Bilyamin Bello, in 2017.
In a split decision of four to one, the five-member panel reaffirmed the judgment of the trial court, which ordered that Sanda be executed by hanging for culpable homicide.
The apex court dismissed her appeal, ruling that all the issues she raised lacked merit.
Delivering the lead judgment, Justice Moore Adumein held that the prosecution had proved its case beyond reasonable doubt, aligning with the earlier decision of the Court of Appeal, which affirmed the conviction.
The Supreme Court also faulted President Bola Tinubu’s attempt to grant Sanda a presidential pardon while her appeal was still pending.
The court held that it was inappropriate for the executive arm to intervene in a matter still undergoing judicial review, particularly one involving culpable homicide.
Sanda was first sentenced to death by the Federal Capital Territory High Court on 27 January 2020 after being found guilty of fatally stabbing her husband at their Abuja home.
Despite spending approximately six years and eight months in Suleja Correctional Centre, President Tinubu, in exercising his executive powers, had earlier reduced her sentence to 12 years’ imprisonment.
The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), explained that her inclusion in the presidential pardon list was based on compassionate grounds, especially in consideration of the wellbeing of her children.
He added that her good conduct, reformed behaviour, and remorse contributed to the clemency decision.
However, with the Supreme Court now reaffirming the original death sentence, the judicial position on the matter stands final.
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