A federal court in Abuja has converted the death sentence of Maryam Sanda, previously handed down in 2020 for killing her husband, into 12 years’ imprisonment, following a clemency review.
Gatekeepers News reports that the move was confirmed in the sentence-reduction list released by Lateef Fagbemi, Attorney-General of the Federation, on Wednesday.
Sanda’s name appeared on the list of convicts whose terms were shortened under the prerogative of mercy.
She had earlier been among the 175 convicts granted presidential clemency by Bola Ahmed Tinubu after approval by the National Council of State on October 9.
Sanda was convicted on January 27, 2020, by a High Court in the Federal Capital Territory for killing her husband, Bilyaminu Bello, and was sentenced to death by hanging. Her appeal was later dismissed by the Court of Appeal.
The reduction to 12 years took into account “compassionate grounds, in the best interest of the children, good conduct, embraced new lifestyle, model prisoner, and remorsefulness.” Her name was listed at number 86, though mis-spelt as “Maryam Sunda.”
Her time served so far has been reported as 6 years and 8 months in prison. The clemency decision has reignited public debate, especially among her deceased husband’s family, who criticised the pardon and called for a reversal.
