President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the commutation of the death sentence passed on Maryam Sanda to 12 years imprisonment on compassionate grounds.
Sanda, who was convicted and sentenced to death by hanging on January 27, 2020, for culpable homicide, benefited from the President’s final Prerogative of Mercy list released on Wednesday.
According to a statement issued by the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), the decision to reduce Sanda’s sentence was based on her model conduct in prison, her embrace of reformation, and the welfare of her children.
The statement also revealed that four other Nigerians on death row—Emmanuel Baba, Abubakar Usman, Khalifa Umar, and Mohammed Umar—had their sentences reduced to life imprisonment.
Fagbemi explained that the final list followed the conclusion of the Presidential Prerogative of Mercy exercise, which involved the issuance of instruments granting pardons, clemency, and sentence reductions.
“This exercise has been completed and approved by the President. It was to ensure that only persons who met stipulated legal and procedural requirements would benefit from the prerogative of mercy,” Fagbemi stated.
He noted that during the review process, certain individuals earlier recommended were delisted after failing to meet the necessary criteria, while other sentences were adjusted to reflect fairness, justice, and compassion.
The Minister emphasized that the review was carried out with a commitment to due process and the administration’s goal of advancing justice reform and humane correctional practices in line with international standards.
President Tinubu has also directed the immediate relocation of the Secretariat of the Presidential Advisory Committee on Prerogative of Mercy from the Federal Ministry of Special Duties to the Federal Ministry of Justice.
Additionally, the Attorney-General has been instructed to issue new Guidelines for the Exercise of the Power of Prerogative of Mercy, mandating compulsory consultation with relevant prosecuting agencies to ensure transparency and compliance with legal standards.
Fagbemi commended the public for their patience and constructive engagement during the process, assuring Nigerians that the government remains committed to promoting a justice system that upholds human dignity while ensuring national security and social order.
