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JUST IN: Supreme Court Reinstates Death Sentence for Maryam Sanda, Overrides President’s Pardon

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Nigeria’s Supreme Court on Friday overturned the presidential pardon granted to Maryam Sanda, the Abuja housewife convicted of stabbing her husband to death in 2018, reinstating her original death sentence by hanging.

Sanda, 37, was sentenced to death in January 2020 by Justice Yusuf Halilu of the FCT High Court for culpable homicide punishable with death after she fatally stabbed Bilyaminu Bello during a heated domestic dispute over alleged infidelity. The Court of Appeal upheld the conviction in December 2020, and the Supreme Court affirmed it in 2023, exhausting her appeals.

In October 2025, President Bola Tinubu initially granted Sanda a full pardon as part of clemency extended to 175 convicts, citing her family’s pleas for the sake of her two children, her good conduct in prison, and remorse. However, amid public backlash, the administration revised the decision, commuting her sentence to 12 years imprisonment on compassionate grounds.

The Supreme Court’s 4-1 majority decision, delivered by Justice Moore Adumein, dismissed Sanda’s final appeal as meritless. Adumein ruled that the prosecution had proven its case beyond reasonable doubt, affirming the lower courts’ findings that Sanda’s actions constituted intentional murder.

Crucially, the apex court held that the executive branch’s exercise of pardon powers under Section 175 of the 1999 Constitution was invalid in this instance, as Sanda’s appeal was still pending before the judiciary at the time of the grant. “It was wrong for the Executive to seek to exercise its power of pardon over a case of culpable homicide in respect of which an appeal was pending,” Justice Adumein stated in the lead judgment.

The dissenting justice argued for upholding the commutation, emphasizing humanitarian considerations for Sanda’s children and her time served—over seven years at Suleja Medium Security Custodial Centre.

The ruling has reignited national debates on the separation of powers, domestic violence, and the application of the death penalty. Sanda’s family expressed devastation, while Bello’s relatives hailed the decision as long-overdue justice. Rights groups decried the outcome, calling for legislative reforms on prerogative of mercy.

Sanda remains in custody pending any further legal maneuvers, though options appear exhausted. The Attorney General’s office confirmed investigations into the pardon process’s procedural flaws.

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President Tinubu Expresses Sorrow over IMAM Abubakar’s Death

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Says he was a courageous servant of God

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has expressed sorrow at the passing of Imam Abdullahi Abubakar, the Chief Imam of Nghar village in the Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State, who passed away at 92.

The late Imam Abubakar shot into national and international prominence for hiding over 200 Christians in 2018, during the communal strife which ravaged Plateau State.

President Tinubu described the late Imam as an extraordinary religious leader, whose lifetime represented a striking testament to faith, courage and a staunch belief in the sacredness of human life.

“At such a time when tribal and religious tendencies seemed to overwhelm reason, Imam Abubakar stood firmly on the side of peace, benevolence and conscience,” President Tinubu remarked.

“Mindless of the enormous risk to his own life, the noble cleric chose humanity over division, love as opposed to hatred and embrace rather than rejection.

His heroic feat underlines the essence of true faith, resonating louder than sermons in a salient message to the world at large. Imam Abubakar is a worthy example of a better human we should all aspire to be,” the President said.

“His act of uncommon bravery did not go unnoticed, as he received local and international honours that celebrated his commitment to coexistence among people with diverse orientations.”

I urge religious and community leaders to imbibe and preach the spirit of tolerance, mutual respect and peaceful togetherness as expounded in the life of Imam Abubakar.

“May the Almighty grant Imam Abubakar eternal rest and reward him for his good deeds and courage,” the President said. ‎

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IMAM who Savef 262 Christians Abubakar Abdullahi Dies in Jos @ 90

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The Imam of Nghar village in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau state, who Famously Shielded 262 Christians during a Violent Communal attack has died at the age of 90.

Saleh Abubakar son of the deceased Confirmed the death to arise news in Jos said the Cleric Passed away on Thursday night at plateau specialist hospital in Jos.

He revealed that his father died tens earlier after being admitted into the hospital, following Complications linked to a heart Condition that have affected his heart for Some time.

He was initiately admitted diagnosed with a heart problem and had being on check ups all the time and since then his health had not been Stable following the diagnoses.

Imam Abdullahi is Survived by 19 Children made up of 12 boys and 7 girls.In June 2018, during a faith based Clashes that Swept through 10 Villages in Barkin Ladi Local government area of plateau state, the late imam hid 262

Christians in a mosque and his private home untill the Violence Subsided, preventing them from being killed.

His actions earned him both local and international recognition across globe.End

Ctedit: PUNCH

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Rivers Lawmakers Insist on Investigating Fubara, Deputy

The Speaker of the House, Martin Amaewhule, a seven man panel each have been constituted to investigate governor Fubara and his deputy.

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Twenty -five members of the Rivers State House of Assembly (RSHA) said that there is no going back on investigating Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his Deputy, Prof Ngozi Odu, for alleged gross misconducts.

The members re-stated this at Friday’s plenary in the temporary hallowed chamber of the State House of Assembly in their Legislative quarters.

The Speaker of the House, Martin Amaewhule, a seven man panel each have been constituted to investigate governor Fubara and his deputy.

He also said that the Chief judge of Rivers State, Justice Simeon Amadi is to be immediately notified about the resolution of the House.

The order paper of the house in Friday’s sitting has only two items which include investigating governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Professor Ngozi Odu.

Meanwhile,the house has adjourned plenary till January 27.

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