Amanze Chinonye
Nigeria’s Supreme Court on Friday nullified the presidential pardon earlier granted to convicted murderer Maryam Sanda, restoring the death sentence imposed on her for the 2017 killing of her husband, Bilyaminu Bello.
The ruling, reported by Prime Business Africa, marks a major judicial pushback on executive clemency powers in serious criminal cases.
In a split decision of four to one, the apex court held that President Bola Tinubu’s commutation of Sanda’s death sentence to a 12-year prison term was unconstitutional. The court insisted that the prerogative of mercy cannot be exercised in a manner that overrides or disrupts a conviction fully affirmed by the judiciary.
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Sanda was convicted in January 2020 by an FCT High Court, which found that she fatally stabbed her husband during a domestic altercation. The Court of Appeal upheld the judgment in December 2020, affirming that the prosecution had proved its case beyond reasonable doubt.
The controversy resurfaced in October 2025 when President Tinubu included Sanda in a list of individuals granted clemency on compassionate grounds, citing her reported good conduct in custody and the welfare of her children. The decision drew strong public criticism and objections from the Bello family, who argued that the pardon undermined justice.
Delivering the lead judgment, Justice Moore Adumein ruled that the president acted outside constitutional limits. He stated that the executive cannot interfere with a subsisting judicial decision, particularly in a case involving culpable homicide where the courts below had issued clear and final rulings.
All issues raised in Sanda’s final appeal were dismissed, with the Supreme Court affirming that the evidence supporting her conviction was overwhelming.
With this decision, the death-by-hanging sentence originally imposed by the FCT High Court stands restored. Legal analysts told Prime Business Africa that the landmark ruling reinforces the independence of the judiciary and establishes clearer boundaries around the use of presidential pardon powers in Nigeria.
Amanze Chinonye is a Staff Correspondent at Prime Business Africa, a rising star in the literary world, weaving captivating stories that transport readers to the vibrant landscapes of Nigeria and the rest of Africa. With a unique voice that blends with the newspaper's tradition and style, Chinonye's writing is a masterful exploration of the human condition, delving into themes of identity, culture, and social justice. Through her words, Chinonye paints vivid portraits of everyday African life, from the bustling markets of Nigeria's Lagos to the quiet villages of South Africa's countryside . With a keen eye for detail and a deep understanding of the complexities of Nigerian society, Chinonye's writing is both a testament to the country's rich cultural heritage and a powerful call to action for a brighter future. As a writer, Chinonye is a true storyteller, using her dexterity to educate, inspire, and uplift readers around the world.
