By Patrick Idowu
The Supreme Court on Friday reaffirmed the death sentence of Maryam Sanda, daughter-in-law of a former PDP Chairman, for culpable homicide.
Sanda was sentenced to death by an Abuja high court on January 27, 2020, after being found guilty of stabbing her husband, Bilyamin Bello, to death at their Abuja residence in 2017.
Though she had spent about six years and eight months in Suleja Prison, President Bola Tinubu had reduced her sentence to 12 years on compassionate grounds, citing her good conduct, remorsefulness, and the best interest of her children.
In a split verdict of 4-1, the Supreme Court dismissed her appeal, ruling that the prosecution had proved her guilt beyond reasonable doubt and that the Court of Appeal’s affirmation of her sentence was unassailable.
Justice Moore Adumein, delivering the lead judgment, stated that it was improper for the President to grant pardon in a culpable homicide case while an appeal was pending.
