The Court of Appeal in Abuja on Friday dismissed the appeal filed by Maryam Sanda for lacking in merit while affirming the death penalty imposed on her by the lower court.
She is on trial for murdering her husband, Bilyaminu Bello, in November 2017.
Justice Yusuf Halilu of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory in Maitama, Abuja, had in his judgment delivered on January 27, 2020, held that circumstantial evidence proved that Maryam “fatally” stabbed her husband to death in Abuja on November 19, 2017.
Maryam, a mother of two, had on February 19, 2020, filed 20-ground notice of appeal, praying for an order discharging, and acquitting her.
She contended that the judgment convicting her was tainted by bias and prejudices resulting in her being denied her right to fair hearing.
But the appelate court upheld the judgement by the FCT High Court which had sentenced her to death by hanging for killing her husband, Bilyaminu Bello, son of the former National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Haliru Bello,
Her Counsel, Joe Gadzama SAN, however, said they were heading to the Supreme Court, while Counsel to Police, James Idachaba, praised the judgement, adding that they were also ready to meet them at the apex court.
In his two-hour judgement, Presiding Judge, Justice Steven Adah, held that the court was duty-bound to do justice according to law and not sentiments.
The judge held 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 penal code, the court held that the trial judge was right in his verdict, stressing that the offence is punishable by death.
The court further held that it was not in doubt that Sanda killed her husband, and has no reason to set aside the verdict of the lower court.
The Appeal Court also noted that there was evidence that Maryam murdered her husband during a fight after she saw a nude picture on his phone, and she had threatened him, adding that it could be ruled as premeditated murder.
