Supreme Court Upholds Maryam Sanda’s Death Sentence, Faults Tinubu’s Attempted Pardon
In a landmark and emotionally charged ruling, the Supreme Court of Nigeria has reaffirmed the death sentence earlier issued to Maryam Sanda, the woman convicted of killing her husband, Bilyamin Bello, in a widely publicized 2017 domestic violence case that gripped the nation.
Delivering judgment in a 4–1 split decision, the apex court dismissed Sanda’s final appeal, declaring that the evidence against her was overwhelming and that lower courts were right in confirming her guilt.
Supreme Court: “Her guilt was proven beyond reasonable doubt”
In the lead judgment delivered by Justice Moore Adumein, the court held that prosecutors presented a clear, airtight case that established Sanda’s culpability for the fatal stabbing of her husband at their Abuja residence.
The ruling emphasized that there was no basis to overturn the conviction or review the sentence, describing the Court of Appeal’s earlier decision as “unassailable and firmly rooted in law.”
Court Faults Presidential Intervention in Ongoing Judicial Matters
One of the most notable elements of the ruling was the court’s criticism of President Bola Tinubu’s earlier attempt to pardon Sanda while her appeal was still pending.
The Supreme Court held that it was improper for the President—head of the executive arm—to extend clemency in a homicide case that was still actively under judicial review, reinforcing the principle of separation of powers.
Background: Conviction, Imprisonment & Controversial Pardon Attempt
Sanda was first sentenced to death on January 27, 2020, after the Abuja High Court found her guilty of murdering her husband, the son of a former PDP chairman.
She had been incarcerated for over six years and eight months at the Suleja Correctional Centre when President Tinubu moved to grant her a controversial pardon—later revised to a 12-year reduced sentence following public outrage.
Why She Was Considered for Clemency
Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), explained that her temporary inclusion in the presidential pardon list was based on:
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Exemplary conduct in prison
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Positive lifestyle changes
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Serving as a role model to other inmates
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Demonstrated remorse
He added that humanitarian concerns, including the well-being of her children, influenced the recommendation.
Finality: No More Legal Options for Maryam Sanda
With today’s Supreme Court decision, Maryam Sanda has exhausted all legal avenues. The death sentence—as ruled by the trial court, upheld by the Court of Appeal, and now confirmed by the Supreme Court—remains standing.
This verdict marks the conclusive end of one of Nigeria’s most talked-about homicide cases, reigniting national debates around domestic violence, capital punishment, executive powers, and judicial independence.
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