JUST IN: Supreme Court Rejects President Tinubu’s Pardon, Upholds Maryam Sanda’s Death Sentence

The Supreme Court has overturned President Bola Tinubu’s pardon for Maryam Sanda, an Abuja-based housewife sentenced to death in 2020 for killing her husband, Bilyaminu Bello, during a domestic dispute. President Tinubu had earlier reduced her sentence to 12 years imprisonment on compassionate grounds.

In a Friday ruling, the Supreme Court, by a four-to-one decision, upheld the death sentence originally handed down by the Court of Appeal, which had affirmed the Federal Capital Territory High Court’s judgment. The court dismissed Sanda’s appeal, declaring it without merit.

Justice Moore Adumein, delivering the lead judgment, stated that the prosecution had proven the case beyond reasonable doubt and that the Court of Appeal was correct in affirming the trial court’s decision. He also noted that it was inappropriate for the Executive to exercise the power of pardon in a case involving culpable homicide while an appeal was pending.

More to follow…..