- Nigeria’s Supreme Court has voided the presidential pardon granted by President Bola Tinubu to Maryam Sanda, a housewife convicted of murdering her husband, Bilyaminu Bello.
- In a four-to-one split decision, the apex court reinstated Sanda’s original death sentence by hanging after ruling that the presidential clemency was unlawful.
- Tinubu had earlier commuted her sentence to 12 years’ imprisonment on compassionate grounds,
The Supreme Court has revoked the pardon previously granted by President Bola Tinubu to Abuja-based housewife Maryam Sanda, who was convicted for the murder of her husband, Bilyaminu Bello.
Sanda was originally sentenced to death by hanging in 2020 following a domestic dispute that resulted in her husband’s de@th.
President Tinubu had recently reduced Sanda’s sentence to 12 years’ imprisonment on compassionate grounds, according to the presidency.
In a judgement delivered on Friday, the Supreme Court, in a four-to-one split decision, affirmed the original death sentence.
The Apex Court resolved all issues raised in Sanda’s appeal and dismissed it as being without merit. Justice Moore Adumein, delivering the lead judgment, held that the prosecution had proved the case beyond reasonable doubt as required, adding that the Court of Appeal was correct to affirm the trial court’s judgment.
In other news…. Rev. Chidiebere Amakaeze’s siblings have publicly disputed his claims against nightclub mogul Obi Cubana, insisting that the businessman has never owed them anything.
In a video that has gone viral, the family stated that Cubana has been supporting them financially for years. Speaking on behalf of the family, Mr. Nwem Amakaeze, the immediate younger brother, highlighted that Cubana has consistently met all obligations regarding the Wuse 2 property, often exceeding expectations.
“Let it be clear that Obi Cubana does not owe the Amakaeze family. We are six surviving children, five of whom remain united. Only our eldest brother chose to act independently. Even so, Obinna continues to assist him generously,” he said.
Nwem accused Rev. Chidiebere of misrepresenting himself in 2018 as the sole next-of-kin to obtain exclusive administrative control of the family estate, describing the act as “wickedness of the highest order.”
He explained, “My brother tries to make it seem like his disputes with Obi Cubana are on behalf of the family, but that is untrue. In 2018, he swore in an Abuja Federal High Court affidavit that he was the only surviving next-of-kin and son of Rev. Michael Nwobi Amakaeze, securing a sole letter of administration under false pretenses. There’s no need for sentimentality here.”
Nwem also accused his brother of creating conflicts, filing questionable petitions, and promoting social media attacks against Cubana.
“The narrative that Obi is trying to take over someone’s property is false. Obi simply stated that all siblings should be included in any settlement. He grew up with us, considers us friends, and treats us as family. The issues are internal. I haven’t had contact with my brother in 10 years; all I’ve received are threats and insults. Obi is only asking that any settlement involve everyone,” he added.
Their eldest sister, Adaolisa Amakaeze, voiced her support for Cubana in another video, saying he has cared for the family and covered rent as the property’s caretaker, stressing that he does not owe anything and should not be evicted.
This comes after court sheriffs in Abuja executed an eviction order on December 9, 2025, for Plot 81, Ademola Adetokunbo Crescent, the former Cubana Lounge, transferring control to businessman Collins Onwuzulike.
Rev. Chidiebere claimed he sold the property to Onwuzulike for N2 billion, a claim his siblings strongly reject.
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