Tinubu reduces Maryam Sanda’s death sentence to 12 years

President Bola Tinubu has reduced the death sentence of Maryam Sanda, the woman convicted for killing her husband in 2017, to 12 years’ imprisonment.

Sanda’s name appeared on the “reduced terms of imprisonment” and “sentence list” released by presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga via his Facebook page on Wednesday, October 29, 2025.

The list, however, contained a minor error, as her name was spelt as “Maryam Sunda” instead of “Maryam Sanda.”

It noted that Sanda has already served six years and eight months in prison.

Sanda was among 175 inmates granted presidential pardon and other forms of clemency by Tinubu following the approval of the National Council of State on October 9.

Tinubu removes drug, human trafficking, kidnapping convicts from pardon list

According to the presidency, the decision to reduce Sanda’s sentence was based on compassionate grounds, citing her good conduct in prison, her remorse, and consideration for the welfare of her two children.

Sanda was sentenced to death by hanging by an FCT High Court in January 2020 — a judgment later upheld by both the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court.

However, the clemency stirred public outrage, particularly from the family of her late husband, who condemned the president’s decision.

The Star