The Supreme Court of Nigeria has overturned the presidential pardon granted to Maryam Sanda and reinstated her death sentence for the murder of her husband.

Maryam Sanda was originally sentenced to death in 2020 by the Federal Capital Territory High Court, a decision that was later upheld on appeal. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had earlier granted her a pardon, reducing her sentence to 12 years imprisonment, citing compassionate grounds and the welfare of her children.

In a 4–1 decision, the Supreme Court ruled that the executive pardon could not override the judicial process, especially while an appeal was pending. The court emphasized that the prosecution had proven the case beyond reasonable doubt and that the death sentence must be enforced.

The ruling has sparked nationwide discussions on the limits of presidential clemency and the independence of the judiciary in Nigeria.