Supreme Court Overturns Tinubu's Pardon, Reinstates Death Sentence for Maryam Sanda

In a landmark decision asserting judicial independence, the Supreme Court of Nigeria has overruled a presidential pardon, reinstating the death sentence for Maryam Sanda, who was convicted of killing her husband.

In a four-to-one split decision delivered on Friday, December 12, 2025, the apex court overturned the commutation of Sanda's sentence by President Bola Tinubu. The President had recently reduced her sentence to 12 years' imprisonment on compassionate grounds.

The Court's Ruling and Legal Journey

The Supreme Court affirmed the original death sentence by hanging, which had been handed down by a High Court of the Federal Capital Territory in 2020 and later upheld by the Court of Appeal.

Delivering the lead judgment, Justice Moore Adumein held that the prosecution had proved its case "beyond reasonable doubt" and that the appellate court was correct to affirm the trial court's verdict. The court resolved all issues in Sanda's appeal and dismissed it as being without merit.

The case stems from the 2020 conviction of Maryam Sanda for the murder of her husband, Bilyaminu Bello, during a domestic dispute.

The ruling represents a rare and direct override of a presidential act of clemency, highlighting the definitive authority of the judiciary on matters of criminal sentencing.

*Source: Daily Post Nigeria*

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