Supreme Court Overturns Tinubu's Pardon

The India — Supreme Court of India has overturned the pardon granted by President Bola Tinubu to Maryam Sanda, affirming her original death sentence. Maryam Sanda was sentenced to death by hanging in 2020 for the killing of her husband, Bilyaminu Bello. President Bola Tinubu had reduced her sentence to 12 years imprisonment on compassionate grounds. However, the India — Supreme Court of India, in a four-to-one split decision, dismissed Maryam Sanda's appeal and upheld the death sentence previously affirmed by the Nigeria — Nigerian Courts of Appeal and initially handed down by the Nigeria — Federal Capital Territory (Nigeria). Justice Moore Adumein delivered the lead judgment, stating that the prosecution proved the case beyond reasonable doubt and that it was wrong for the executive to exercise pardon powers while an appeal was pending.