Court upholds Maryam Sanda’s death sentence.

An appeal court in Abuja has upheld the judgement by the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) high court which sentenced Maryam Sanda to death by handing for killing her husband, in person of Bilyaminu Bello, son of the former National chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Haliru Bello.

Sanda had on November 19, 2017, stabbed her husband multiple times to death following an allegation of infidelity against him after seeing a text message on his phone.

In his judgment, Presiding judge, Justice Steven Adah, held that the court is duty-bound to do justice according to the law and not sentiments. He also explained that the law does not leave room for irregularities, adding that parties must conduct criminal trials according to the law.
Under section 221 of the penalty code, the court held that the trial judge was absolutely right in his verdict, insinuating that the offense is punishable by death.

Maryam, a mother of two, had on February 19, 2020 filed a 20-ground notice of appeal, hoping for an order discharging and acquitting her.
She contended that the judgement convicting her was tainted by bias and prejudices resulting in her being denied her rights to fair hearing.

Her counsel, Joe Gadzama SAN, however, said they are heading to the Supreme Court.