Tinubu Reduces Maryam Sanda’s Death Sentence To 12 Years Imprisonment

President Bola Tinubu has reduced the death sentence of Maryam Sanda, who was convicted in 2017 for killing her husband, to 12 years in prison.

Her name appeared in the “reduced terms of imprisonment” list released on Wednesday by Lateef Fagbemi, the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF).

Maryam Sanda was among 175 people who received presidential pardons or other forms of clemency following approval by the National Council of State on October 9.

The presidency said her family requested leniency in the interest of her two children and noted her good conduct while in prison.

In January 2020, Sanda had been sentenced to death by hanging by a Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court for killing her husband, Bilyaminu Bello.

The sentence was later upheld by both the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court.

Her pardon drew criticism, with the family of the late husband questioning the president’s decision.

In the gazette list released on Wednesday, Sanda’s death sentence was reduced “based on compassionate grounds, in the best interest of the Children and good conduct, embraced new lifestyle, model prisoner, and remorsefulness”.

The list, which placed her at number 86, misspelled her name as “Maryam Sunda” instead of Sanda. She has already served 6 years and 8 months of her sentence.

KanyiDaily recalls that former Vice President Atiku Abubakar had accused President Bola Tinubu of misusing the power of presidential pardon, saying it is reckless and morally wrong.