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Sunday Jackson, a farmer sentenced to death for killing a herder in what he maintained was an act of self-defense, has received a pardon from the Adamawa State government. The decision, announced by Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri’s office, follows significant international pressure, notably from the United States, which had advocated for his release. Jackson, from Adamawa State, consistently maintained his innocence throughout the protracted legal battle, which culminated in a Supreme Court affirmation of his death sentence earlier this year.
Humwashi Wonosikou, the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Fintiri, confirmed the pardon on Tuesday, stating it was granted in commemoration of the Christmas and New Year celebrations. Funke Adeoye, founder of the non-profit organisation Hope Behind Bars, which championed Jackson’s case, also verified the development. This act of clemency brings an end to a case that has drawn considerable scrutiny both domestically and abroad for its legal complexities and humanitarian implications.
The events leading to Jackson’s conviction trace back to 2015 when he confronted a herder, Buba Bawuro, whose cattle were reportedly destroying his crops on his farm in Dong Community, Demsa Local Government Area. A violent altercation ensued, during which Bawuro allegedly attacked Jackson with a knife. Jackson, despite sustaining injuries, managed to disarm Bawuro and fatally stabbed him in what he consistently argued was an act of self-preservation.
The Yola High Court, however, rejected Jackson’s self-defence plea in 2021, finding him guilty of culpable homicide and sentencing him to death. Justice Fatima Ahmed Tafida ruled that Jackson could have retreated after disarming his attacker, rather than retaliating. This judgment, delivered under Section 211 of the Penal Code, sparked widespread condemnation from legal experts and human rights organisations, who argued it overlooked the immediate threat Jackson faced. The Supreme Court upheld this death sentence in March, solidifying Jackson’s fate until the recent pardon.
The pardon materialised amidst intense diplomatic efforts, particularly from the U.S. government. In November, United States federal lawmaker Riley Moore publicly called for Jackson’s release during an interview on Fox News. Moore’s advocacy was framed within broader American concerns about Nigeria’s human rights record and security challenges, including the U.S. designation of Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” regarding religious freedom violations and the ongoing conflict involving armed groups in the Middle Belt region.
Moore specifically linked Jackson’s case to the need for Nigeria to address the activities of “Fulani Islamic radicals” in the country’s middle-belt, suggesting Jackson’s release as a crucial first step. This perspective underscores the international community’s view of the complex farmer-herder clashes, which are often exacerbated by ethnic and religious dimensions, leading to widespread violence and displacement across Nigeria. These conflicts frequently involve disputes over land and resources, placing farmers like Jackson in perilous situations.
Organisations like Hope Behind Bars played a pivotal role in bringing Jackson’s plight to national and international attention. They highlighted the systemic issues within Nigeria’s justice system, particularly concerning death penalty cases and the interpretation of self-defense. Their persistent advocacy, coupled with international scrutiny, likely contributed significantly to the eventual reconsideration of Jackson’s sentence, underscoring the power of civil society in influencing legal outcomes.
Jackson’s pardon offers a glimmer of hope for other inmates on death row, particularly those whose cases involve complex circumstances of self-defense or humanitarian concerns. While it resolves a high-profile individual case, it also reignites discussions about judicial reform, the application of capital punishment, and the broader socio-political factors contributing to violence in rural communities. The decision reflects a potential responsiveness to both internal advocacy and external diplomatic engagement on critical justice issues.
